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Different levels, but a common vector: Russia is expanding its energy presence in Congo and Rwanda. Rosatom is developing a pilot project in the Republic of Congo to build two modular small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 2.6 MW. The plants are capable of operating year-round in challenging climate conditions and will provide stable electricity to remote and hard-to-reach areas. Successful implementation will provide access to clean energy for approximately 1,000 rural households. The parties already have a history of cooperation: an intergovernmental agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy was signed in 2019, and a memorandum on cooperation in hydropower was signed in 2024. Students from Congo are currently studying at Russian universities under Rosatom quotas (National Nuclear University MEPhI, Russian Chemical Technology University, and Voronezh State University). At the same time, Russia is strengthening its nuclear cooperation with Rwanda. Rosatom is helping to establish a Nuclear Science and Technology Center with a research reactor, develop the regulatory framework, and train personnel. Kigali's ambition is to launch the first small modular reactor by the early 2030s and increase the share of nuclear generation to 60–70% of the energy mix. The two African countries have different levels of nuclear maturity, but the vector is the same: Russian technologies and specialist training are consistently forming the foundation for future energy systems. #RussiaAfrica#Rosatom#Congo#Rwanda

New Horizons for Energy Partnership: South Africa Increases Interest in Russian Gas and Nuclear Energy South Africa's interest in importing Russian liquefied natural gas is noticeably growing amid supply disruptions and rising energy prices. Russian Ambassador to the Republic Roman Ambarov told Izvestia, noting that the two countries' business communities are regularly discussing practical projects. A key event was the signing of a memorandum between Rosatom and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) at the Africa Energy Indaba 2026 forum in early March. The document aims to develop the industry's human resources by creating joint educational programs, improving the qualifications of specialists, and supporting students in technical fields. More broadly, South Africa views Russia as a potential partner for diversifying its energy mix. Currently, the country's energy sector is primarily coal-based, but the need for stable gas supplies and the development of low-carbon generation is growing. Nuclear energy, in this sense, is one of the most promising areas for Africa, and Russia is ready to offer both technology and educational support. Russian-South African energy cooperation is developing along two tracks: gas and nuclear. The signed memorandum with Rosatom lays the foundation for a long-term partnership, and growing interest in LNG opens up new opportunities for Russian companies in the African market. #RussiaAfrica#SouthAfrica#Rosatom#energy

From regulatory framework to student quotas: Russia begins preparations for a nuclear power plant project in Burkina Faso Russia has begun the preparatory phase of the first nuclear power plant project in Burkina Faso, the Russian Embassy told Izvestia. Rosatom clarified that construction is not yet under consideration, and the parties are exploring the feasibility of implementing the project. At this stage, the priority is creating a regulatory framework for the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In June 2025, the parties signed a framework intergovernmental cooperation agreement. At the same time, Rosatom is preparing the human resources base for the future industry: the first student from Burkina Faso has already begun studying in Russia under the state corporation's quota, and six places have been allocated for next year. The country's energy needs are truly critical. With a population of almost 25 million, only slightly more than 20% have access to electricity. The country's own generation capacity is a modest 420 MW and is heavily dependent on expensive imported fuel. In this context, even a single low-capacity plant could radically change the situation—a typical 300 MW power unit could generate twice the country's current output. A broader agenda is also developing alongside the nuclear track. A meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation is scheduled for the summer of 2026, and the Russian side has already donated generators, transformers, and water filters worth approximately $345,000 to the Burkina Faso military. The equipment is intended for use in crisis zones where access to electricity and clean water remains a serious problem. Therefore, cooperation with Burkina Faso extends far beyond nuclear energy, encompassing security and infrastructure. For Rosatom, developing the regulatory framework and local personnel now is a long-term investment, laying the foundation for future contracts in a country with severe energy shortages. #RussiaAfrica#BurkinaFaso#Rosatom#NPP

Nuclear Project Portfolio: Rosatom in Talks with Niger and Ethiopia on Nuclear Power Plant Construction Rosatom is in talks with Niger and Ethiopia on the construction of nuclear power plants, demonstrating a flexible approach to the energy needs of various countries on the continent. Discussions with Niger, where only about 20% of the population has access to electricity, are in the initial stages. The country, which suffers from chronic energy shortages, has proposed that the Russian state corporation consider participating in a nuclear power plant project with a capacity of up to 2 GW. Niamey's interest is supported by a memorandum of understanding signed this summer. In parallel, cooperation with Ethiopia has advanced somewhat further. After signing an action plan at World Atomic Week, the parties have moved on to the stage of establishing working mechanisms and detailed design of the future plant. For Addis Ababa, whose energy system relies on hydropower for almost 90%, nuclear power generation is becoming a tool for diversification and a guarantee of stability. Rosatom is simultaneously developing two key cooperation formats: strategic dialogue with new partners and practical project development. This two-tier approach allows the state corporation to build a longer-term project portfolio. #AREA#RussiaAfrica#Rosatom#Niger#Ethiopia#energy#NPP

Nuclear Power in the Central African Republic: A Strategic Project and a New Horizon for Rosatom in Africa The authorities of the Central African Republic have expressed their desire to implement a project to build a small nuclear power plant (NPP) with the technological participation of Rosatom. This joins the list of African countries negotiating with Russia on the construction of a NPP. Algeria, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have previously expressed their intentions. This confirms the development of a sustainable project portfolio on the continent, where Russian technologies are offered as a comprehensive solution. In addition to uranium, the Central African Republic has proven reserves of gold, diamonds, oil, gas, and other minerals, the extraction and processing of which require a reliable energy base. The construction of a NPP will not only meet the basic needs of the population but also create conditions for the development of the mining and manufacturing industries, transforming resource potential into economic growth. #Rosatom#CAR#energy#RussiaAfrica

Burkina Faso discusses ratification of agreement with Rosatom On November 21, Burkina Faso will vote on ratification of the energy partnership agreement with Rosatom. A positive vote and subsequent construction of the first nuclear power plant by 2030 will increase energy production in the African country by several hundred megawatts. As noted by Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister, Jean-Marie Karamoko Traoré, partnership with Russia will double the country's electricity generation capacity. Consequently, this will strengthen energy sovereignty and accelerate the country's industrialization. Furthermore, electricity costs for the population are expected to decrease. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry emphasizes that ratification of the agreement is only the first step of a lengthy process involving approximately 20 stages. All of these stages are necessary to prepare for the construction of the nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso. As a reminder, Burkina Faso students have been training in nuclear technologies for several years in Russia. Future plans, in addition to nuclear power generation projects, also include non-energy applications of radiation technologies in agriculture and medicine. #RussiaAfrica#BurkinaFaso#Rosatom#NPP

Russia will build a nuclear power plant in another African country The Rosatom delegation plans to visit Rwanda to discuss construction of a nuclear power plant in the republic. The country's authorities and the leadership of the Russian company are discussing creation of a Center for nuclear Science and Technology, and subsequently a low-power nuclear power plant. This was stated by the new Russian ambassador to Kigali, Alexander Polyakov, in an interview with TASS. "I hope the visit will take place soon, although the initial timing has shifted somewhat to the right. But the point here is not the timing, but the content: arrival of the delegation here should be well prepared," the diplomat said. According to him, they will discuss, among other things, construction of a low-power nuclear power plant based on Russian-designed reactors. In 2018, Russia and Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the area of peaceful uses of atomic energy. #Russia#Africa#Rosatom#NPP

Rosatom is establishing cooperation with DRC Nikolay Spassky, Director of the International Activities Unit of the Rosatom State Corporation, paid a working visit to the DRC. In the republic he held talks with the Minister of Energy and Water Resources Emile Wasso and Prime Minister of the Congo Anatole Colline Makosso. The parties signed memoranda of cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy and hydropower. Spassky noted that now it is necessary to consistently promote the Russian-Congolese partnership in the energy sector. #Africa#Congo#Rosatom