Former AUC Chair: Ethiopia's Self-Reliance and Energy Policy is a Model for Africa

Former AUC Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has praised Ethiopia’s commitment to self-reliance and its proactive energy policies as a model for the African continent. Speaking to ENA ahead of the Russia-Africa Summit, she highlighted the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a symbol of overcoming the cycle of reliance on foreign aid. Dlamini-Zuma specifically commended Ethiopia’s pioneering policy to ban the import of fossil fuel-powered vehicles, viewing it as a significant step toward a green energy future. Having recently visited Addis Ababa, she noted the visible, rapid urban development in the city as evidence of the benefits of energy security. She urged other African leaders to adopt a similar mindset of local capacity and self-determination to achieve genuine progress.