Appetite for nuclear energy grows across Africa

Political leaders across Africa are increasingly recognising the role nuclear energy could play in addressing the continent’s development and energy poverty challenges.

This is according to Princess Mthombeni, founder of advocacy group Africa4Nuclear.

Speaking to ESI Africa on the sidelines of World Atomic Week in Moscow earlier this year, Mthombeni said the strong attendance at the event by heads of state and senior officials underscored the growing political weight of nuclear energy globally and in Africa.

The event was addressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as leaders from countries including Ethiopia, alongside several African prime ministers. 

Countries in Africa stating its nuclear energy ambitions

“The presence of so many African leaders shows that our states are starting to appreciate the benefits that come with nuclear technology for development, inequality and energy poverty,” she said.

Mthombeni noted that the event showcased a wide range of Russian nuclear technologies, including floating nuclear power plants, icebreakers and small modular reactors (SMRs), while discussions also focused heavily on the importance of policy and regulatory readiness.

“Many countries want to implement nuclear, but they don’t always start with fixing their policies. Transparency and public discussion are essential,” she said, adding that nuclear should no longer be treated as a closed-door topic.

Public buy-in key to nuclear technology adoption

On public awareness, Mthombeni said South Africa has relatively strong nuclear literacy, but this is not the case elsewhere on the continent. 

“Countries such as Kenya and Ghana are exploring nuclear but lack public understanding. Without public buy-in, nuclear programmes will not succeed,” she cautioned. ESI

Cover photo:  On 19 November, at the construction site of the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant in Egypt (with Rosatom’s Engineering Division as the general designer and general contractor), the reactor vessel for the first power unit was installed in its design position. Source: Rosatom