Nuclear energy took centre stage at Enlit Africa 2025 last week, marking a pivotal moment in the continent’s evolving energy narrative. With two high-profile sessions dedicated to nuclear’ s role in sustainable development, the event signalled growing momentum behind its integration into Africa’s clean energy mix.
A standout session, 80 Years of Russian Nuclear Legacy: Powering Africa’s Sustainable Future with Floating Nuclear Plants, celebrated Rosatom’s 8 decades of nuclear operation, noting progress they made as a country including in developing floating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and floating nuclear platforms.
Moderated by Ryan Collyer, CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa, the panel featured top experts NECSA’s Sengiphile Simelane, South Africa’s Katse Maphoto and Velaphi Ntuli, and Ghana’s Dr Robert Sogbadji.
Katse Maphoto, Chief Director for Nuclear Safety and Technology, highlighted the need for a supportive policy and regulatory environment, especially for SMRs, while applauding Rosatom’s operational floating SMR, Academic Lomonosov.
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South Africa: SMRs, floating units could spur nuclear energy revival
“With global climate concerns rising, nuclear is being re-evaluated as a viable path forward,” he noted. South Africa’s long-standing nuclear history, including Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and nuclear test reactor SAFARI-1, further reinforces its leadership in space.
The session also explored the role of international partnerships, South Africa–Russia cooperation, and nuclear’ s integration with renewables to ensure long-term energy security.
Progress and prospects: The future of nuclear generation in Africa
A session on the prospects of nuclear generation in Africa provided an update on the progress made across the African continent to facilitate the safe, efficient, and reliable use of nuclear power generation. Participants delved into Africa’s readiness for advanced nuclear technologies.
Kicking off with insights from a senior Nuclear Specialist at Hatch, Ben Alex, the discussion was moderated by Odinakachi Umunna, Corporate Strategy Consultant of Shell International, and included voices from South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and beyond.
Reflecting on Enlit Africa 2025’s groundwork, Umunna led a panel exploring SMRs, localisation, diaspora engagement and regulatory innovation.
South Africa’s Zizamele Mbambo, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy Regulation and Management at the Department of Electricity and Energy, stressed the need to build local supply chains, warning against dependency on imported components.
Ghana’s Robert Sogbadji, Deputy Director for Nuclear and Alternative Energy Programme at the Ministry of Energy, called on African financial institutions to support nuclear financing, tying the sector to broader decarbonisation goals.
Kenya’s Francis Agar, who is a Nuclear Technology Consultant at the BRICS Youth Energy Agency, advocated for hybrid governance models tailored to African realities, while Nigeria’s Dr Nafiu Salihu Abubakar, Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at the Nigeria Customs Service, urged regional frameworks that attract skilled nuclear diaspora and bolster nuclear security.
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Where to next for nuclear in Africa
Discussing nuclear energy and technologies at Enlit Africa
Egypt’s Marwa Ibrahim, Nuclear Engineer, EYGN Chapter Leader, Rosatom Global, offered the under-construction El Dabaa Nuclear Power Station in Egypt as a continental case study, cautioning nations to negotiate for knowledge transfer in international deals.
Nolan Grau, Consultant with Damona Nuclear Experts, concluded by emphasising scalable vendor models, localised training, and blended finance as critical enablers.
Across both sessions, a common theme emerged: nuclear energy is no longer a distant ambition for Africa. It is a strategic necessity. As interest in SMRs and collaborative frameworks grows, nuclear is increasingly seen as a crucial pillar of Africa’s energy future. Enlit Africa 2025 has set the tone for deeper engagement and action. With anticipation building for Enlit Africa 2026, the nuclear conversation is only just beginning.
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