Africa’s engagement with the international nuclear security framework

This policy brief examines Africa's role in the international nuclear security framework, specifically in the context of the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague. It argues for the development of a continental nuclear security framework to ensure that international measures address real regional threats without hindering the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

• The Nuclear Security Summit process, initiated by US President Barack Obama in 2010, aims to prevent unauthorized access to nuclear materials and facilities to stop their use in terrorism. The 2014 summit in The Hague focuses on reducing global dangerous nuclear materials, improving security for existing stockpiles, and strengthening international cooperation.
• Global nuclear security has seen measurable improvements since 2010, with over 90 per cent of national commitments from the first summit fulfilled. Additionally, the number of states possessing one kilogram or more of separated plutonium or highly enriched uranium (HEU) decreased by 22 per cent to 25 states.
• Six African nations—Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa—were invited to the 2014 summit. These states have implemented various safety measures, such as Algeria establishing a Nuclear Security Training and Support Centre in 2011, Nigeria converting its miniature research reactor from HEU to lower enriched uranium (LEU), and South Africa converting Mo-99 production from HEU to LEU.
• Africa's nuclear profile is expanding, with more than 30 states engaged in uranium exploration and nearly half the continent seeking nuclear power for electricity. In 2012, Niger, Namibia, Malawi, and South Africa were among the top 20 global uranium exporters.
• Despite progress, significant gaps remain in Africa's adoption of international conventions. While 36 African states are party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), only 12 have joined its 2005 Amendment, and only six are signatories to the Convention on Nuclear Safety.
• The authors recommend that the African Union (AU) and the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) lead the development of a continental nuclear security framework. This should include a continent-wide threat assessment and the implementation of specialized education and training programmes for nuclear regulators and operators.

APA

Broodryk, A., & Edge, S. (2014). Africa’s engagement with the international nuclear security framework. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief52March14.pdf

Chicago

Broodryk, Amelia, and Shaun Edge. Africa’s engagement with the international nuclear security framework. Institute for Security Studies, 2014. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief52March14.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Broodryk |first1=Amelia |last2=Edge |first2=Shaun |title=Africa’s engagement with the international nuclear security framework |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=March 2014 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief52March14.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{broodryk2014africas, author = {Broodryk, Amelia and Edge, Shaun}, title = {{Africa’s engagement with the international nuclear security framework}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2014}, month = mar, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief52March14.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }