THE United States and Russia are intensifying efforts to expand their influence in Africa’s burgeoning nuclear energy market as more African nations look to nuclear power as a solution for sustainable energy generation. Currently, South Africa is the only African country operating a nuclear power plant, but several others—including Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda—are planning to join the ranks by 2030.
Both the US and Russia are positioning themselves as key partners in these nuclear ambitions, offering expertise, technology, and strategic support to African countries embarking on nuclear projects.
US initiatives in Africa’s nuclear landscape
In a bid to solidify its role in Africa’s nuclear future, the United States is organising the second edition of the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) in Kenya this August. The summit will focus on assessing the readiness of Africa’s nuclear industry and exploring the future potential of nuclear energy on the continent.
The US aims to highlight its 70 years of nuclear industry experience, offering insights on how African nations can replicate this success. The four-day summit will feature discussions on Africa’s industrial preparedness for nuclear energy, financing options for nuclear projects, and the potential benefits of nuclear power development. Notable participants include representatives from nuclear authorities in Egypt, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tanzania.
A special session will be dedicated to discussing a US-Ghana commercial agreement on nuclear power, following the recent Africa Nuclear Business Platform meeting in Accra, Ghana. During this meeting, Ann Ganzer, the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security, announced new civil nuclear cooperation to support Ghana’s nuclear energy ambitions. The plan includes establishing Ghana as a regional hub for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Russia’s expanding footprint in African nuclear energy
Russia, through its state-owned company Rosatom, is also making significant strides in Africa’s nuclear sector. Since 2023, Rosatom has been actively signing memoranda of understanding with African governments, offering a range of localised nuclear solutions.
At the Atomexpo 2024 in Russia, Rosatom reaffirmed its commitment to providing Africa with a variety of nuclear technologies, including large-scale nuclear power plants, Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs), and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The company presented these innovative solutions as cost-effective and scalable options to meet Africa’s growing energy demands while supporting the continent’s transition to clean energy.
In February 2024, Rosatom’s CEO for Central and Southern Africa, Ryan Collyer, highlighted the company’s ongoing projects across the continent. These initiatives focus on infrastructure development, educational collaborations, and technology transfers. Rosatom is also exploring the potential for launching a low-power nuclear power plant in Mali and has expanded peaceful nuclear cooperation with countries like Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe.
One of Rosatom’s most significant projects in Africa is the construction of a $25bn nuclear power plant in El-Dabaa, Egypt. This facility will feature four power units, each with a capacity of 1,200 MW, bringing the total installed nuclear energy capacity to 4.8 gigawatts.
The future of nuclear energy in Africa
As African countries like Ghana prepare to select vendors for their nuclear power projects by the end of 2024, the competition between the US and Russia is expected to intensify. Ghana is emerging as a strong contender in Africa’s nuclear landscape, with plans to establish its own nuclear power plant.
Meanwhile, Africa’s only existing nuclear facility, Koeberg in South Africa, recently secured a 20-year life extension for its Unit 1, which had its operating license renewed after 40 years. Eskom, the plant’s operator, is seeking similar approval for the plant’s second unit following a refurbishment process.
The race between the US and Russia to influence Africa’s nuclear energy future underscores the growing importance of nuclear power as a viable solution for the continent’s energy needs. As both nations continue to offer tailored solutions and strategic partnerships, African countries are poised to benefit from advancements in nuclear technology, driving economic growth and sustainable development across the region.
