Africa’s nuclear readiness 2026: who is ready, who is almost ready, and who is still far off?

The IEA’s Africa Energy Outlook projects continued growth in energy demand, highlighting the potential role of nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMRs), in supporting a reliable and diversified energy supply.

Currently, South Africa is the only African country operating a commercial nuclear plant, but over a dozen others are developing programmes or planning their first facilities. This renewed interest is driven by electricity shortages, population growth, and climate commitments, creating a wide spectrum of nuclear readiness across the continent.

The following regional overview shows where African countries stand in their nuclear ambitions.

North Africa is emerging as the continent’s nuclear frontrunner. Egypt leads the way, with construction underway on the 4.8 GW El Dabaa plant along the Mediterranean coast. Developed with Russia’s Rosatom, the four-reactor facility is expected to be fully operational before 2030, becoming Africa’s second commercial nuclear plant after South Africa’s Koeberg.

Meanwhile, Algeria is building nuclear capacity through two research reactors and a roadmap with Russia to develop energy and nuclear medicine capabilities, though large-scale reactors have not yet been approved.

Morocco maintains a research reactor and has pursued multiple international agreements with Russia, China, and France, to explore SMRs and experimental reactors. While the country has the necessary grid capacity, construction has yet to begin, leaving the country in a preparatory phase.

Plans are also underway to revive the historic Pebble Bed Modular Reactor programme, reopen key nuclear infrastructure, and develop new nuclear waste management sites. Additionally, the government has secured approvals to extend the lifespan of the existing Koeberg plant to 2045.

The government’s Integrated Resource Plan allocates R2.23 trillion ($131 billion) for energy investment by 2042, positioning nuclear power as a central strategy to reduce coal dependence.

South Africa’s advanced technical and regulatory expertise makes it a continental reference point for other African nations exploring nuclear energy.

East African nations are steadily advancing toward nuclear readiness, though each remains at a different stage of development. Uganda’s planned Buyende nuclear plant, with a projected capacity of 2 GW, is expected to deliver its first 1 GW by 2031 in partnership with China’s CNNC.

Kenya has also been preparing for nuclear power for several years, though its timelines have shifted. As of February 2024, its long-delayed programme targeted 4,000 MW by 2035.

By September 2025, the government reaffirmed plans to start construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2027, with commissioning expected in 2034.

The Siaya plant is expected to start with 1,000 MW and gradually expand to 20,000 MW by 2040, enhancing energy security and reducing reliance on imports. Kenya also plans a research reactor to support education, training, and research.

At the same time. Rwanda is advancing its nuclear programme, aiming to commission its first plant by 2030 on a 15–50 hectare site, concentrating on small modular reactors (SMRs) and a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology.

The Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) has partnered with U.S.-based Nano Nuclear Energy to explore SMR and microreactor deployment.

The country currently has 30–50 nuclear specialists, with 200 more studying in Russia, and targets 250 trained professionals by 2028, while pursuing additional training agreements with China and South Korea.

Unlike its neighbours, Ethiopia continues to prioritise hydropower to meet near-term electricity needs. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), completed in 2025, delivers 5,150 MW of capacity, roughly equivalent to three medium-sized nuclear plants.

The agreement includes staff training and a detailed project roadmap, marking a cautious but significant step toward developing nuclear energy.

Ghana is currently the only West African country actively advancing toward nuclear deployment. It operates a research reactor and has agreements with NuScale (SMRs) and CNNC (large reactor). Participation in the U.S.-led FIRST programme ensures a secure SMR supply chain, with commissioning targeted for the early 2030s.

Other West African nations, including Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, have signed preliminary MoUs but face financial, regulatory, and grid-related challenges.

Nigeria, by contrast, has paused its Rosatom-led Geregu project but continues preparatory studies and SMR evaluations.

Experts note that the country still lacks the technical expertise, infrastructure, and regulatory capacity required for large-scale nuclear reactors.

In mid-2025, the Minister of Power opposed plans to build four 1,200 MW reactors (totalling 4,800 MW), citing concerns over scale. He instead identified modular reactors as a more suitable option for Nigeria’s decentralised electricity system and stressed the need to modernise the country’s ageing power grid.

Burkina Faso and Mali, like Nigeria, have expressed interest through preliminary agreements but remain at an early stage, facing financial constraints, regulatory gaps, and limited grid capacity.

Central African nations, including Congo and Burundi, have signed preliminary agreements with Russia but remain in early exploratory stages, and their progress is further affected by ongoing regional conflicts.

Infrastructure, regulatory systems, and financing models are still under development, placing most countries on a long-term, 2050+ planning horizon.

Momentum is growing, driven by energy insecurity, international partnerships, and recognition that nuclear power will be a key component of Africa’s long-term energy and economic strategy.