South Africa is uniquely positioned to support the expansion of nuclear energy across the African continent, according to a new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Africa, published in July 2025, highlights South Africa’s operational Koeberg power station, established regulatory framework and domestic nuclear industry as critical enablers for regional development. South Africa is currently the only African country operating a nuclear power plant and hosts Africa’s only radioactive waste disposal facility licensed for low and intermediate-level waste.
The report notes that 13 African countries are developing or considering nuclear power programmes. Egypt is constructing its first nuclear plant at El Dabaa with four 1 200 MW units scheduled to begin operation by 2028. In total, 21 African countries have engaged with the IAEA on nuclear infrastructure development.
The IAEA has identified small modular reactors (SMRs) as particularly relevant for African contexts, including off-grid mining operations and remote areas. South Africa is highlighted for its ongoing SMR research, including high-temperature gas-cooled reactors based on earlier national designs.
A new partnership between the IAEA and the World Bank is aiming to explore financing solutions for nuclear projects, marking the World Bank’s first formal engagement with nuclear energy since the 1950s.
The report outlines a high-growth scenario in which African nuclear generation could increase sevenfold by 2050, raising its share in total electricity generation from 0,6% in 2023 to 3,3%.
