Addis ababa: Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently announced plans to build the country's first nuclear power plants, signaling Africa's growing interest in atomic energy as nations seek to meet rising power demand and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa's largest hydroelectric facility. Ethiopia plans to have two nuclear power plants operational between 2032 and 2034, each producing around 1,200 megawatts of electricity, which would increase the country's current electricity generation capacity by roughly 25%. The country signed a cooperation agreement in late September with Russia's Rosatom to begin planning.
According to Anadolu Agency, Africa is rich in uranium, the raw material for nuclear fuel. Niger and Namibia are among the world's top uranium producers, and South Africa also has significant deposits. Currently, South Africa is the only African country with an operating nuclear power plant, but this could soon change as momentum builds across the continent. Several countries are exploring either full-scale nuclear plants or smaller modular reactors (SMRs) that can generate up to 300 megawatts and are quicker and cheaper to build.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that Egypt is furthest along in nuclear development, constructing a four-unit plant with the first reactor expected by 2028. Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria have established nuclear authorities and begun preparatory work for future projects. Other countries, including Algeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia, have expressed interest in nuclear plans, while Burkina Faso, Namibia, Tanzania, and others are still considering the technology.
Nuclear advocates argue that this shift is a practical response to Africa's energy deficit. The World Bank Group indicates that over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity. Proponents see nuclear power as a stable, low-carbon source that could complement renewable energy and support grids often reliant on hydropower or fossil fuels.
Critics, however, view the trend as risky. Kenya's Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) expressed concerns to Anadolu, stating that nuclear energy might deepen inequality in access rather than solve it, advocating instead for investment in solar and wind power. These sources can be scaled up more quickly and distributed to off-grid communities. In South Africa, Earthlife Africa's director, Makoma Lekalakala, warned about nuclear energy's reliance on scarce water resources and long-term waste management challenges.
South Africa's Koeberg power plant, located near Cape Town, offers insights into the nuclear experience on the continent. Built by the French company Framatome, its two reactors have been operational since the mid-1980s, supplying around 5% of the nation's electricity. Supporters tout its safety record and cost-effectiveness, but critics highlight aging infrastructure and transparency issues.
Across Africa, governments are seeking international partners for technical support and financing. Kenya has signed cooperation agreements with Russia, the US, China, and South Korea, aiming to have its first nuclear plant operational by 2038. Ghana has an intergovernmental deal with Russia's Rosatom and is seeking partnerships with the US and China. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, sees nuclear energy as a diversification strategy, having resumed preparations for a 4,000-megawatt plant after delays.
Environmental groups caution that these partnerships may create new forms of dependency, with critical components of national energy infrastructure under foreign control. The CJGEA highlighted that African states pursuing nuclear power rely on foreign partners for financing, construction, fuel supply, expertise, regulation, and waste management. Such arrangements, they warn, could mirror colonial dynamics where local agency is limited.
While nuclear power's future in Africa is uncertain, experts agree that open, informed debate is essential for shaping the continent's energy path. The conversation continues on whether nuclear power will deliver on its promises or pose a threat to Africa's future.