18 African countries sign nuclear agreement with Rosatom, Russian nuclear power Corporation amidst concerns about the environmental impact of nuclear energy. The Director General of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, has assured the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Getahun Mekuria Kuma about peaceful use of nuclear energy at the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi held at Black Sea.
Rwanda is the latest to join this nuclear deal. Rosatom’s agreement with Rwanda will enable the construction of a centre of nuclear science and technology in the country. Among other initiatives, the Russian nuclear Corporation is helping Uganda, the Republic of Congo and Rwanda establish nuclear facilities. The Corporation is also planning to construct nuclear reactor to provide electricity to West African nation.
At present, South Africa is the only country with a nuclear power plant. The deal with the Russian power house is aimed at meeting the impending need of electricity in most of the African countries that face power outages regularly.
