Nuclear Science and Technology: Driving Africa’s Development

This policy brief examines the role of nuclear science and technology in advancing Africa's sustainable development, specifically aligning with the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights applications in healthcare and agriculture, the existing infrastructure of research reactors, and the legal frameworks ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy on the continent.

• Nuclear science and technology are positioned as tools to help achieve the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, and energy production.
• Africa currently operates 10 nuclear research reactors, which serve as critical tools for training nuclear scientists and engineers and conducting environmental, medical, and agricultural research.
• There is a critical shortage of radiotherapy machines in Africa to combat rising cancer cases; only 385 machines exist across the continent, with 60% concentrated in South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt. Experts estimate that 5,000 additional machines will be needed by 2035.
• Nuclear technology is being applied in African agriculture to improve food security and manage zoonotic diseases. The VETLAB Network, involving 32 sub-Saharan African countries, has been instrumental in eradicating rinderpest and controlling transboundary animal diseases.
• Africa is established as a nuclear-weapons-free zone through legal commitments such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Pelindaba Treaty (African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty), the latter of which was signed by 52 member states and ratified by 42.
• While South Africa already operates a nuclear power plant, other countries including Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tunisia could potentially operate nuclear power plants by 2030.
• The adoption of nuclear technology in Africa faces several challenges, including public skepticism due to poor communication strategies, financial instability, and risks related to radioactive waste and the potential for nuclear material to be diverted for weapons.

APA

STOTT, N., & BOSMAN, I. (2021). Nuclear Science and Technology: Driving Africa’s Development. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Policy-Insights-109-stott-bosman.pdf

Chicago

STOTT, NOEL, and ISABEL BOSMAN. Nuclear Science and Technology: Driving Africa’s Development. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2021. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Policy-Insights-109-stott-bosman.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=STOTT |first1=NOEL |last2=BOSMAN |first2=ISABEL |title=Nuclear Science and Technology: Driving Africa’s Development |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=June 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Policy-Insights-109-stott-bosman.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stott2021nuclear, author = {STOTT, NOEL and BOSMAN, ISABEL}, title = {{Nuclear Science and Technology: Driving Africa’s Development}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Policy-Insights-109-stott-bosman.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }