AMECO | Source: Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) | Publication Date: July 26, 2026
Addis Ababa — The Ethiopian Defense University has officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art Advanced Central Laboratory designed to strengthen national defense capabilities through artificial intelligence, cybersecurity research, and technological innovation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Sunday, Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed described the facility as a major milestone that will turn academic research into operational military strength.
“The Advanced Central Laboratory represents the beginning of a monumental chapter that will turn knowledge into professional competence, research into innovation, and innovation into practical solutions that serve the nation.”
— Aisha Mohammed, Minister of Defense
The initiative underscores a deepening strategic partnership between Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which co-developed the laboratory’s technical infrastructure. Minister Aisha noted that bilateral cooperation has entered a new phase focused on institutional modernization, security, and technological transformation.
Technical Scope and Strategic Assets
The new facility integrates multidisciplinary research streams intended to foster locally developed technologies and reduce reliance on foreign defense systems.
According to Ethiopian Defense University President Brigadier General Kebede Regassa, the center will serve as a national asset to help the armed forces adapt to rapidly evolving security threats across key domains:
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Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence: Developing threat-monitoring protocols and automated systems.
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Communications & Power Engineering: Modernizing control infrastructure, adaptive prototyping, and network systems.
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Medical Simulation: Providing specialized nursing and emergency-field simulation environments for defense personnel.
“The success of the center will be measured not only by its equipment, but by the professionals it trains, the research it produces, and the impact it delivers to Ethiopia’s defense sector, industry, and society,” Brigadier General Kebede said in statements reported by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).
Bilateral Partnership and Clean Energy Design
The project was executed under the supervision of a joint technical team led by Colonel Khalid Alzarooni, Project Manager on behalf of the UAE Defense Attaché. Colonel Alzarooni reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s commitment to expanding scientific and technological collaboration with Addis Ababa.
To ensure uninterrupted operations during municipal power outages, the facility incorporates an off-grid solar energy network. Integrated photovoltaic panels, battery-storage systems, and solar water heaters allow the laboratory to maintain continuous research and training activities while lowering operational costs and emissions.
Looking ahead, university leadership plans to leverage the laboratory to provide specialized technical consultancy, professional workshops, and vocational mentorship across the academic, government, and industrial sectors.
