Although the only functioning nuclear power plant in the continent is located in South Africa, many other African countries consider nuclear energy as a future energy source.
With this in mind, Rosatom Africa is stepping up its efforts and is negotiating nuclear cooperation with some more 4 African countries, in addition to those 16 of their cooperation network. These discussions range from projects in their initial stages (Namibia) to more mature agreements still not as yet ratified (Nigeria and Sudan) and fully fledged construction contracts (Egypt).
One of the ways to gain a foothold in Africa is to educate its citizens in Russia or through using Russian technologies. Therefore, the corporation funds scholarships for students from Sub-Saharan Africa to study nuclear sciences and engineering in Russia. As of January 2020, around 300 students from over 15 African countries were studying nuclear science there.
Rosatom funds scholarships for students from Sub-Saharan Africa to study nuclear sciences and engineering in Russia. As of January 2020, around 300 students from over 15 African countries were studying nuclear science there.
The “Atoms for Africa” competition was designed in the relevant context with a goal to inspire and raise the next generation of nuclear energy technology experts. The participants from Sub-Saharan Africa only were to conduct research on how innovative nuclear technologies can assist Africa in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Last year 66 teams from 9 countries participated and the winners from Nigeria went on a trip to Moscow to visit nuclear facilities. This year the competition will be announced in December and all the African countries will be welcomed to participate.
Several African countries have agreed to work with Rosatom on the design and construction of Centres for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST). Rosatom’s integrated offer was presented around 2017. Since then, Rosatom had the similar experience of CNST promotion in Vietnam and Bolivia, but neither of the above-mentioned projects have made it to the final phase yet. The CNST proposal is based on Russian experience and research, and it will take some time to adapt it to the African reality.
On September, 29, Messaoud Baaliouamer, Executive Secretary to the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (Afcone) and Nikolay Spasskiy, Deputy Director General of Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Last week, Rosatom took another step towards enhancing its nuclear cooperation with African countries. On September, 29, Messaoud Baaliouamer, Executive Secretary to the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (Afcone) and Nikolay Spasskiy, Deputy Director General of Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The full list of active cooperation agreements is illustrated on the map.