Russia and Congo-Brazzaville have signed a landmark agreement to cooperate in hydropower and peaceful nuclear energy, announced Russian nuclear company Rosatom.
This agreement is part of Rosatom’s broader strategy to expand its nuclear activities across Africa.
During a business visit to Congo, Nikolay Spassky, Rosatom’s Deputy General Director and Head of the International Activities Department, met with Emile Ousso, the Minister of Energy and Hydraulics, to finalize the agreements.
The deal includes memoranda of understanding that lay the groundwork for future cooperation.
Rosatom has been actively pursuing nuclear partnerships across Africa in recent years. In June, Russia and the Republic of Guinea signed a memorandum of understanding to construct floating nuclear power plants. This ambitious project was formalized at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
In March, Algeria’s Ministry of Energy and Rosatom signed a cooperation memorandum outlining a roadmap for joint activities in 2024 and 2025.
This cooperation likely includes nuclear technology applications in medicine, research reactors, and pharmaceuticals manufacturing.
Tanzania has also shown interest in leveraging Russian nuclear technology to bolster its economy. Doto Biteko, Tanzania’s Minister for Minerals, discussed the country’s nuclear ambitions during the ‘Cooperation in Science and Technology’ panel on ‘Nuclear Technologies for the Development of the African Region.’
In 2019, Rwanda signed an agreement with Rosatom to establish nuclear plants, despite widespread safety concerns. Similarly, in 2016, Rosatom representatives signed a deal with Ugandan officials to build a nuclear facility, although the project was never implemented.
Rosatom’s ongoing efforts to expand its nuclear footprint in Africa demonstrate its commitment to fostering international partnerships and advancing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
