ROSATOM already has a story of mutually-beneficial cooperation in the Sub-Saharan Africa Region. The company not only supplies enriched uranium to the only Nuclear Power plant on the continent but also provides educational and research support in nuclear science under a co-operation agreements with various universities across the region.
Central and South Africa
The regional office of Rosatom is located in Cape Town, South Africa. The regional center opened in 2010, and it oversees activities in the countries of the Central and Southern Africa region.Burundi
On April 21, 2021, Rosatom and the Ministry of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines of Burundi signed in Moscow a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
On November 21, 2021, on the sidelines of the 12th International Forum ATOMEXPO 2022 in Sochi, A. Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, and I. Uwizeye, Minister of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines of the Republic of Burundi, signed a roadmap that defines specific steps of the parties for 2022-2024 to assess the prospects for nuclear generation and implementation of projects in non-power applications of atomic energy in the African country.
On July 27, 2023, in St. Petersburg, on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit, an agreement was concluded between the governments of the Russian Federation and Burundi on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy. On the Russian side, the document was signed by A. Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, on the Burundian side, it was signed by A. Shingiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic.
Ghana
On June 2, 2015, Russia and Ghana signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
In June 2021, the Ministry of Energy and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission issued an official Request for Information (RFI) to collect proposals from potential vendors in preparation for the implementation of a project to build the country's first nuclear power plant. As part of the first stage of the RFI, the request was sent to vendors in Russia, USA, China, India, South Korea, and France.
In 2023, Rosatom took part in the next stage of the information collection procedure.
Zimbabwe
On September 20, 2021, in Vienna, on the sidelines of the 65th session of the IAEA General Conference, Rosatom and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Zimbabwe signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy. The document laid the basis for establishing interaction in a wide range of areas, particularly in non-energy applications of atomic energy in industry, agriculture, and healthcare.
On November 21, 2022, A. Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, and A. Murwira, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe, signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of human resources for the peaceful use of atomic energy. The document is aimed at creating strong framework conditions for cooperation in the key area of development of the Zimbabwean program for the peaceful use of atomic energy, and it provides for specific steps to train personnel for the nuclear industry.
Mali
On October 13, 2023, in Moscow, on the sidelines of the 6th Forum “Russian Energy Week,” Rosatom and the Ministry of Energy and Water of the Republic of Mali signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Also, on the sidelines of the forum, a memorandum was signed between the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of the Republic of Mali and Uranium One, a subsidiary of Rosatom, on cooperation in the implementation of projects in the mining industry in Mali.
The documents lay the basis for establishing cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the production of lithium, precious, rare, and rare earth metals. A substantive dialog will make it possible to develop approaches to the implementation of projects for the non-energy use of atomic energy in industry, agriculture, and healthcare, the development of the Malian nuclear infrastructure and increasing public awareness of nuclear technologies.
Namibia
Headspring Investments, a member of the Uranium One Group, has been implementing a project to explore uranium deposits in Namibia since 2011. A large uranium deposit has been discovered as a result of geological exploration. The project is already the 3rd largest mineral resource in Namibia and has the potential to become the largest one in the country.
In 2021, pre-feasibility study was prepared. It confirmed the positive economic result of developing the deposit's resources using the in-situ leaching (ISL) method. In 2022, preparations have begun for a full-scale ISL trial to determine the mining, geological, technology, and economic parameters of future production. It is planned to complete exploration of the uranium deposit in 2026.
The construction of the mine is planned for 2027-2028, and the start of uranium mining is planned for 2029. The deposit development period will be more than 25 years. The estimated amount of investment in the project is up to $500 million; the annual output is 3 thousand tons. The project will employ up to 600 people. In general, more than 20 thousand people from related areas will be involved in it. The project implementation will increase Namibia's GDP by 1-2% year on year.
In late 2023, Uranium One opened an office in Leonardville, demonstrating the company's commitment to the project and long-term plans to collaborate with the region and the country. Uranium One has already invested more than N$3.8 million in social projects in the country. Among them are the purchase and repair of cars for the police and medical services, support for the development of sports in the region of presence, the supply of food to a city school, and the construction of a kitchen for the school.
Tanzania
In Tanzania, Rosatom has been implementing the Mkuju River project since 2020. Its owner, Mantra Resources, is a part of Rosatom, and it has a special mining license issued by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of Tanzania. The operator of the Mkuju River project is Uranium One which manages the international uranium mining assets of Rosatom.
Mkuju River with the Nyota field is one of the largest uranium projects in the world with the mineral reserves of 152 mln. tons of ore. It is planned to extract 5 tons of yellow cake at the stage of pilot operation with achievement of the design capacity of 3000 tons per annum. This project is among the top-priority projects for Tanzania defining sustainable social, economic, and technology development of the South-Eastern part of the country.
The construction of the pilot plant is in progress strictly in accordance with current legislation within the framework of the necessary authorizations obtained. To date, about 85% of the work has been completed. Investments in the project over the next two decades will exceed $750 million, and tax payments will amount to almost $1.5 billion. Currently, Uranium One is actively working with the local population, implementing training programs for employees, and conducting systematic work with schoolchildren and students. Approximately 100 persons will work in the project at the stage of pilot operation, and about 1 thousand high-tech jobs will be created by 2029 when commercial uranium mining commences.
Ethiopia
In June 2017, Rosatom and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
On April 15, 2019, A. Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, and G.M. Kuma, Minister of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia, signed a roadmap in Sochi to establish cooperation in order to build a nuclear power plant and create a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology.
On October 23, 2019, on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Economic Forum, Russia and Ethiopia signed an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
On April 15, 2021, in Moscow, Rosatom and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia signed two memoranda of understanding: on education and training of personnel for nuclear power engineering and on formation of a positive public opinion on atomic energy in Ethiopia.
Republic of South Africa
In September 2020, Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding with the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) in order to develop and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy. Apart from cooperation in nuclear power engineering, a number of negotiations are underway on wind power and energy storage systems.
In 2021, Rosatom signed an agreement to support foreign students with the University of Zululand (UNIZULU). It provides for the implementation of joint educational, research, and cultural programs, training events and workshops in South Africa and abroad, as well as the training of undergraduates, graduate students, and doctoral students in Russian universities.
In addition, Rosatom holds events in South Africa to combat period poverty to draw attention to the unique problems faced by girls around the world. As part of the initiative, Rosatom organizes lectures on women's health with experts who conduct a comprehensive conversation about reproductive health, and together with a local company provides safe solutions for women's health.
Another of Rosatom's humanitarian projects in South Africa is providing a sustainable food system for schools and communities. As part of the project, Rosatom contributed to the construction of three aquaponic greenhouses in the province of Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, thereby providing 4,000 students, school staff and community members with a sustainable nutrition program and improving food security.
In 2021, Rosatom took part in the International Innovation Project Rhisotope, aimed at combating the extermination of rhinoceroses. The project provides for marking with the use of isotopic marks applied onto the horns of rhinos. It is expected that this will contribute to reducing the demand for rhinoceroses while increasing the probability of any smuggling detection.
Burkina Faso
On October 13, 2023, in Moscow, on the sidelines of the 6th Forum “Russian Energy Week”, Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Mines, Quarries and Energy of Burkina Faso on cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.