- Russia and Congo signed a nuclear cooperation deal for hydropower and peaceful nuclear energy.
- Rosatom, the Russian state company focused on nuclear energy, has been involved in multiple nuclear deals across Africa.
- In the past, Russia collaborated with The Republic of Guinea to build floating nuclear power plants.
Russia and the Congo recently inked a nuclear deal. According to Russian nuclear company; Rosatom, both nations inked memoranda of understanding to cooperate in hydropower and peaceful nuclear energy. Rosatom for the past few years has been involved in several nuclear deals across Africa.
Rosatom SMR solutions to float nuclear power plants to Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond
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As reported by the Russian newspaper Sputnik, Russia's state company Rosatom which focuses on nuclear energy, nuclear non-energy goods, and high-tech, has opted to engage in a new arrangement with another African country, Congo-Brazzaville.
During a business visit to Congo, Nikolay Spassky, the company's Deputy General Director and Head of the International Activities Department, met with Emile Ousso, the Minister of Energy and Hydraulics, and finalized the agreements.
Russia’s recent nuclear initiatives in Africa
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Rosatom for the last few years has been on a campaign to intensify its influence in Africa. In June, Russia and The Republic of Guinea collaborated on a very ambitious nuclear project. Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding at St. Petersburg to build floating nuclear power plants.
In March, Algeria's Ministry of Energy signed a memorandum of cooperation with Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. The ministerial communiqué indicated that the document contains a "roadmap of joint activities for 2024 and 2025."
The latter is likely related to nuclear technology in medicine, the application of research reactors, or the manufacturing of medicines.
Tanzania has also indicated interest in bringing Russia’s nuclear technology to bolster its economy. Doto Biteko, Tanzania's Minister for Minerals, announced the 'Cooperation in the Science and Technology' panel discussion on 'Nuclear Technologies for the Development of the African Region.' The revelation surprised many given the fact that the East African country had been discreetly establishing the framework for its nuclear ambitions.
Rwanda in 2019, signed a deal to establish nuclear plants in conjunction with Russia's nuclear agency, Rosatom, which sparked widespread resistance owing to safety concerns.
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Representatives of the Russian-owned Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation signed a deal with Ugandan state officials in 2016 to build the nuclear facility, however, the project was never implemented.
