Insights and Analysis

Energy Buzz: The Nuclear Option – African states phase nuclear power into their energy strategies

11 April 2025

With demand for reliable energy sources on the increase, more than 20 African states have signalled interest in developing nuclear power programmes.

Nuclear power presents itself as an attractive, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuel power generation and, although it requires significant capital outlay, there is less need for real estate compared to hydro-power, for example.

In addition to full-scale nuclear power plants (NPP), small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro-reactor technology could also be useful for off-grid and remote applications (e.g. in the mining sector), and with a lesser capital outlay.

International cooperation is key to African nuclear energy development. Several states are making efforts to align their legislative frameworks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. Other states are in discussions with existing nuclear countries (including the United States, but also with Iran and Russia) to collaborate on future developments, seeking to attract foreign investment in their growing energy sectors.

IAEA Phases of Nuclear Infrastructure Development

The IAEA has mapped out a three-phase programme for countries looking to develop nuclear power infrastructure.

Phase 1: a Pre-Feasibility Study and key considerations for incorporating nuclear power in the country’s energy strategy.
Phase 2: preparatory work for constructing the NPP, including aligning the state’s legal and regulatory framework with international requirements (e.g. around non-proliferation, nuclear liability and safety).
Phase 3: completing the first NPP and beginning operations.

In broad terms, at least twelve countries are in Phase 1, three in Phase 2 and two in Phase 3. South Africa is the only African country which has completed all three phases and has an operating NPP (see below).

Below, we have highlighted the developments of Egypt, Ghana and South Africa, the differences in their progress and incorporation of capacity building in their preparations.

Egypt

With construction of the El-Dabaa power plant underway, Egypt is nearing the end of Phase 3 in its nuclear power development.

Egypt is now looking to construct supporting infrastructure to the power plant, including a nuclear waste facility and Korean-funded turbines in partnership with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. El-Dabaa is projected to begin commercial operations of its first reactor in 2028.

Ghana

Ghana signed the Net-Zero Nuclear Initiative at COP 28 in 2023, pledging to triple its nuclear energy capacity by 2050 with SMRs and gigawatt-scale nuclear power.

Ghana has prioritsed cooperation with the IAEA having recently invited the IAEA to conduct a site visit at its preferred nuclear power plant location.

Nuclear Power Ghana is preparing to launch a training centre in Accra, in collaboration with the United States’ Department of Energy. This technical training will create a strong foundation for future nuclear energy operations and safety.

South Africa

South Africa is currently the only African state with an operational nuclear power plant. The Koeberg facility, located near Cape Town, generates nearly 5% of the country’s electricity.

Eskom, the state power company, has renewed Koeberg’s operating licence until 2044.

South Africa is in discussions regarding the expansion of the Koeberg plant and potential expansion of nuclear power operations elsewhere in the country. It is hoped that expanding nuclear power will stablise power outages and eventually help phase out the use of older coal plants.

Authored by Malcolm Parry and Roslynn Ampomah.