The Ethiopian Electricity Utility (EEU) is grappling with a surge in crimes targeting its infrastructure, with recent figures revealing a troubling lack of accountability. Of the 104 reported crimes against the utility’s electricity infrastructure in Addis Ababa and Sheger City during the 2024/25 fiscal year, only 12 cases have received legal rulings, according to data shared at a recent high-level consultation forum.
The forum, which brought together the EEU, the Federal Attorney General, the Federal Police, and senior leaders from security and judicial institutions, focused on developing strategies to safeguard the utility’s assets, combat energy theft, and ensure accountability for property-related crimes.
Gebeyehu Likasa, CEO Representative and Executive Officer for Electric Infrastructure Administration at EEU, highlighted the alarming rise in such crimes, noting that the trend is accelerating at an “exponential rate.” He stressed that these offenses not only undermine EEU’s ongoing efforts to expand reliable electricity access but also threaten public safety and impede national development.
“The growing number of crimes against our infrastructure poses a major obstacle to our mission and to the country’s progress,” Gebeyehu said. He called on security and judicial authorities to intensify their efforts in both preventing these crimes and ensuring that perpetrators are appropriately punished.
Abebe Tesfa, Executive Officer for Legal Services and Ethics at EEU, pointed out that both internal and external actors are involved in these criminal activities. He emphasized the need for coordinated action among stakeholders to curb the problem.
A representative from the EEU Legal Directorate identified delayed decisions on cases and inadequate penalties for offenders as key factors contributing to the persistence of these crimes. Reviewing recent data, he explained that in 2022/23, only 20 out of 96 reported offenses were resolved, while the current fiscal year saw just 12 out of 104 cases concluded.
Justice and security officials participating in the forum acknowledged the need for improved monitoring by the EEU to facilitate timely action on reported crimes. They also recommended that the utility invest in advanced technologies to better protect its infrastructure.
As the EEU continues its efforts to provide electricity to all corners of the country, the institution faces the dual challenge of expanding access while safeguarding its assets from criminal threats. Stakeholders agree that a more robust, coordinated response is urgently needed to address the growing wave of infrastructure-related crimes.
