Nuclear Energy and Techno-Nationalism in Egypt

The document examines Egypt's long-term nuclear ambitions, culminating in the current Dabaa nuclear power plant project. It argues that the project is framed as a 'national prestige' mega-project under President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi, characterized by 'technological fetishism' and a lack of public transparency. The author highlights the project's funding via a $25 billion Russian loan and expresses concerns regarding safety, the management of spent fuel, and the exclusion of public consultation in the decision-making process.

• Egypt's nuclear aspirations date back to 1954, with successive presidents pursuing the goal as a symbol of national pride and technological modernism. Early efforts included a pilot plant at Inshas in 1961 and a proposed facility at Sidi Krir in 1964, though the latter never materialized.
• The current Dabaa project is part of a broader strategy of 'mega development projects' under President Sisi, which includes the Suez Canal expansion and a new administrative capital. The plant is framed as a matter of national prestige, compared in political discourse to the 1973 October War.
• The project is primarily funded by a $25 billion loan from Russia's ROSATOM, repayable over 22 years. The selection of Russia as a partner was not open to the public, despite tenders from China, France, Japan, the US, and South Korea.
• There is a significant lack of transparency regarding the management of spent fuel. While some sources suggest exporting fuel to Russia for processing and re-importing it for storage, the head of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) dismissed these claims as rumours.
• Public opposition from Dabaa residents, which included sit-in protests and clashes during the Arab Spring, was mitigated by a deal struck by President Sisi to build a new tourist city and provide new homes for residents at a cost of EGP 1 billion.
• Safety concerns rose among civil society following a 2019 nuclear explosion at a ROSATOM-controlled test base in Severodvinsk. The Egyptian government dismissed these fears as 'misplaced and exaggerated', relying on ROSATOM's claims that the plant would be the 'world’s safest'.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). Nuclear Energy and Techno-Nationalism in Egypt. https://saiia.org.za/research/nuclear-energy-and-techno-nationalism-in-egypt/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Nuclear Energy and Techno-Nationalism in Egypt. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/nuclear-energy-and-techno-nationalism-in-egypt/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Nuclear Energy and Techno-Nationalism in Egypt |date=23 September 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/nuclear-energy-and-techno-nationalism-in-egypt/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020nuclear, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Nuclear Energy and Techno-Nationalism in Egypt}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/nuclear-energy-and-techno-nationalism-in-egypt/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }