An assessment of nuclear security in Africa

This report by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the nuclear security environment in Africa, examining the risks of nuclear material diversion, the status of international and regional security regimes, and the implications of the continent's emerging nuclear energy programs.

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) identifies four primary nuclear security risks: the theft of a nuclear weapon, the acquisition of materials to build nuclear explosive devices, the malicious use of radioactive sources (such as 'dirty bombs'), and radiological hazards resulting from the sabotage of a facility or transport vehicle.
• While there is a general perception in Africa that the risk of nuclear trafficking or attacks is low, the IAEA's Illicit Trafficking Database recorded 2,164 confirmed incidents globally from January 1993 to December 2011. In Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is frequently cited as a point of origin for illicit nuclear trafficking, specifically involving uranium mines and the CREN-K research facility in Kinshasa.
• Several African nations possess operational nuclear research reactors, including Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa. South Africa is currently the only African country producing electricity from nuclear power reactors.
• Africa has significant uranium deposits, with mining occurring in 35 states. In 2010, Namibia was the fourth-highest global generator of mined uranium (approximately 5,000 tonnes annually) and Niger was the fifth-highest (approximately 4,200 tonnes).
• The Treaty of Pelindaba (African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty) entered into force in July 2009. It mandates that states maintain the highest standards of security for nuclear materials and facilities. The African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), headquartered in South Africa, is the treaty's implementation body.
• Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which prohibits support to non-state actors seeking weapons of mass destruction, is inconsistent across Africa. As of February 1, 2012, only 31 African states had submitted the required reports, and many existing national laws are considered outdated or insufficient for contemporary threats.
• Border controls across the continent are described as weak and porous. Customs officials often lack the specific training and radiation detection equipment necessary to identify nuclear components, frequently relying on physical searches.
• A growing number of African states are exploring nuclear energy to address energy shortages and mitigate climate change. These include Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.
• The Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), launched in March 2009 with 31 participating countries, serves as a mechanism for African regulators to exchange experiences and harmonize radiation protection and nuclear safety frameworks.
• The report recommends that African states develop a comprehensive continental nuclear security strategy and conduct an independent threat assessment to improve safety standards, upgrade physical protection, and inform national design-basis threat assessments.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). An assessment of nuclear security in Africa. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Handbooks-2012-NuclearResources.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. An assessment of nuclear security in Africa. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Handbooks-2012-NuclearResources.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=An assessment of nuclear security in Africa |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Handbooks-2012-NuclearResources.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndassessment, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{An assessment of nuclear security in Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Handbooks-2012-NuclearResources.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }