• The African Union signed a three-year memorandum to promote civilian nuclear energy.

• About 666 million Africans still lack electricity, according to the World Bank.

• Several countries, including Egypt and Ghana, are advancing nuclear energy plans.

The African Union signed a memorandum of understanding on February 13 in Addis Ababa, on the sidelines of its 39th summit, aimed at advancing civilian nuclear energy in Africa. The agreement brings together the African Union, the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/NEA), and the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).

Under the terms of the accord, the three institutions will cooperate to promote the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology across the continent. The memorandum outlines joint actions to strengthen technical and institutional capacity.

The parties also committed to supporting the development of policy and regulatory frameworks and to facilitating exchanges of knowledge and expertise. The agreement runs for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of renewal. It formalizes cooperation in civilian nuclear energy but does not announce any specific construction projects or immediate financial commitments.

A Continent Still Struggling With Power Access

The agreement comes as Africa’s energy needs remain substantial. In its Energy Access Report 2025, published in June 2025, the World Bank estimated that about 666 million Africans still lacked access to electricity, accounting for more than 80% of the global access deficit.

Investment levels also remain limited. In its annual World Energy Investment 2025 report, the International Energy Agency said that Africa, home to nearly 20% of the world’s population, attracts less than 3% of global energy investment. That level falls short of what is needed to support population growth and expand electricity networks.

The African Development Bank estimated in 2024 that more than $400 billion must be mobilized by 2030 to achieve universal access to electricity across the continent.

Nuclear Energy Gains Attention

Against that backdrop, several African countries are exploring or advancing civilian nuclear programs. According to the World Nuclear Association’s 2024 update on “Nuclear Power in Africa,” South Africa remains the only country operating a commercial nuclear power plant, with two reactors at Koeberg.

The same publication lists Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda among countries that have taken formal steps toward introducing nuclear energy into their power mix.

In Egypt, the El Dabaa nuclear plant is under construction. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in 2023 and 2024 that major technical milestones, including concrete pouring for some reactor units, had been completed.

A 2025 report by the research center Energy for Growth Hub, titled “Who in Africa Is Ready for Nuclear Power?”, noted that several African countries have established nuclear regulatory authorities, adopted dedicated legislation or signed technical cooperation agreements in preparation for future projects.

Togo is among the most recent examples. After establishing an Atomic Energy Commission, as reported in January 2025, the country signed a new agreement this month in Vienna with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The agreement defines cooperation priorities and frames the development of peaceful nuclear applications for the period 2026–2031.

These developments reflect varying stages of progress for civilian nuclear programs across Africa. The International Atomic Energy Agency projects that installed nuclear capacity on the continent could increase tenfold by 2050.

Abdel-Latif Boureima