Chinese telecom giant Huawei and China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ethiopian Electric Utility to build better connected intelligent grid in Ethiopia.
As part of the agreement inked on Tuesday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, the two Chinese companies will share their experiences with the EEU, and help the East African country build a smart grid system.
The two Chinese companies also made a donation to the EEU of a smart power distribution pilot project, which will be tested and verified so as to check its competence in the Ethiopian context.
Speaking on the occasion, Ni Zheng, Vice president of Huawei North Africa Regional Office, noted that the newly introduced smart grid would increase revenue to the Ethiopian Electric Utility, while at the same time improve the quality of power supply to end users.
"I am very confident that Huawei and CET will help EEU to shift to smart grid with continuous research and innovation," he said.
He said the two Chinese companies would further deepen their cooperation with their Ethiopian counterpart through their advanced materials, and contribute to the betterment of EEU in particular and Ethiopia in general.
CET, which has conducted successful operations in Ethiopia during the past five years, said the partnership with Huawei through the smart grid system would reduce operation cost, support business construction, improve service and enhance consumer satisfaction.
Gosaye Mengistie, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Utility, hailed the donation made by the two Chinese companies. The donation will contribute to the efforts being made towards the realization of Ethiopia's five-year Second Growth and Transformation Plan, said Gosaye.
The smart distribution solution agreement is the first of its kind advanced technology in Ethiopia.
"I am certainly sure that with the help offered by this program, Ethiopia has the possibility to leapfrog from low-meters to smart-meters," said Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia La Yifan during the signing ceremony.
He also noted that the smart power grid in Ethiopia, one of the top three electric power generators in Africa, would contribute to the industrialization of its neighboring countries such as Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan.
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