South Africa’s Nuclear Energy Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China National Nuclear Corporation to cooperate in nuclear fuel cycle development, small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear fuels including high-assay low-enriched uranium.
The agreement was signed during a recent visit to China by Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy.
The visit formed part of broader government efforts to address electricity supply constraints and reduce dependence on aging infrastructure. Ramokgopa is also seeking international partners to support the planned replacement of the SAFARI-1 research reactor, which is scheduled for retirement in 2030.
According to the African Energy Chamber (AEC), the MoU aims to “revive South Africa’s nuclear fuel cycle, accelerate the deployment of SMRs and promote collaboration in advanced fuels”.
“Plans for a new multi-purpose reactor are already underway with R1,2 billion in seed funding allocated but further investment is needed to move the project forward,” the AEC said.
China’s expanding nuclear diplomacy has included similar agreements with Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. The agreements reflect China’s ambition to become “Africa’s premier nuclear energy partner” and to support deployment across the continent.
“SMRs are particularly suited to the continent’s conditions due to their smaller footprint, safety features and ability to serve decentralised or remote grids,” the AEC said.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear energy use in Africa could rise by 58% by 2030 with a tenfold increase projected by 2050.
