Going nuclear: Rwanda energy official calls for joint African efforts

Lassina Zerbo, Chairman of the Board of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB), has urged African countries to work together on nuclear energy projects rather than pursue them independently. He made the call while moderating a session on nuclear technology development in Africa during the third Russia–Africa Summit, held in Moscow from October 28 to 29. The session brought together government officials and nuclear industry representatives to discuss the sector's development, available resources and challenges facing African countries. “No African country should walk this path alone,” he said, adding that shared training centres, regional power grids and cooperation among regulators would help countries implement nuclear projects more quickly and safely. ALSO READ: Rwanda targets 230 nuclear professionals by 2028 Rwanda is among the African countries preparing to introduce nuclear power. The government expects to begin generating 110 megawatts of electricity from nuclear energy between 2030 and 2033, with two potential sites undergoing approval. The country also plans to build a specialised workforce of more than 230 nuclear professionals by 2028. Currently, between 30 and 50 nuclear experts work in relevant institutions. The required skills include nuclear engineering, regulation and licensing, reactor operations, maintenance, safety and security. Rwanda has also pursued international partnerships to develop its nuclear capacity. In June, RAEB and Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation, Rosatom, signed a cooperation roadmap on small modular reactors. ALSO READ: Rwanda targets first 110MW from nuclear energy by 2033 The partnership includes training Rwandan specialists and strengthening the country's nuclear capacity and infrastructure. “Nuclear power in Africa has moved from discussion to construction. Let us now ensure that it moves from construction to transformation: electricity for our homes, medicine for our hospitals, jobs for our youth and sovereignty for the continent,” Zerbo said. Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom Corporation, said nuclear technologies could help African countries strengthen their technological independence. “They enable countries to independently set development priorities, train their own specialists and master advanced industries,” he said. The corporation has allocated about 1,000 study places at Russian universities for students from African countries in nuclear and related fields. Currently, 370 students from 26 African countries are studying in Russia through Rosatom, while more than 100 students from 17 countries are expected to enrol in the next academic year. Rosatom operates in 29 of Africa's 54 countries, Likhachev said.

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Going nuclear: Rwanda energy official calls for joint African efforts