The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has released a landmark publication examining the potential for nuclear power in Africa, marking a significant step in its collaboration with the Group of Twenty (G20). The launch took place at a side event co-organized with the Clean Energy Ministerial and South Africa’s Department of Electricity and Energy, held on the margins of a key G20 energy transitions meeting in Cape Town.
This initiative builds on the IAEA’s growing engagement with the G20, following its first participation as an invited organization during Brazil’s presidency last year. Under South Africa’s current presidency, the IAEA is working to advance nuclear power as a viable clean energy solution for the continent.
South Africa remains the only African country with operational nuclear power, with its Koeberg Nuclear Power Station generating nearly two gigawatts of electricity. However, interest in nuclear energy is rising across Africa, where fossil fuels still account for over 70 percent of electricity production. The continent’s energy deficit is stark—around half a billion people lack reliable access to electricity.
The new IAEA publication, Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Africa, explores how nuclear power could help address this challenge. It highlights the growing interest in small modular reactors (SMRs), which are particularly suited to Africa’s relatively small and fragmented electric grids. SMRs offer flexible power generation and lower capital costs, making them attractive for countries with limited infrastructure.
Zizamele Mbambo, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy in South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, emphasized the global momentum behind SMRs, noting their potential to support the transition from high-carbon to low-carbon energy sources.
The report also details the progress of countries like Egypt, which is constructing its first nuclear power plant, and Ghana and Kenya, which are working with the IAEA to develop the necessary infrastructure. According to IAEA projections, nuclear capacity in Africa could increase tenfold by 2050 in a high-case scenario, and fivefold even in a low-case scenario.
Beyond energy generation, the publication underscores the broader developmental benefits of nuclear power. Frederik Reitsma, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Power Technology Development Section, noted that nuclear programmes often catalyze industrial growth and technological advancement. The report also identifies uranium mining as a strategic opportunity, with Namibia, Niger, and South Africa already among the world’s top ten producers.
International collaboration is central to the IAEA’s approach. The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) has supported African countries through its NICE Future Initiative, helping nations like Ghana and Kenya explore nuclear energy’s role in their clean energy transitions. Jean-François Gagné, Head of the CEM Secretariat, highlighted the platform’s role in fostering informed dialogue and practical cooperation.
Looking ahead, the IAEA plans to participate in the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in October, where it will release a new report on the coal-to-nuclear transition. This upcoming publication will explore the economic and technical aspects of repurposing former coal sites for nuclear deployment.