The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Group of Twenty (G20) have taken a major step in advancing nuclear energy in Africa with the launch of a new publication outlining the continent’s potential for nuclear power.

The report was unveiled at a side event co-hosted by the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and South Africa’s Department of Energy, on the sidelines of a G20 energy transitions meeting in South Africa.

It comes as Africa faces rising energy demand, growing climate pressures, and the challenge of providing electricity to more than 500 million people.

Building on its first-ever participation in the G20 under Brazil’s 2024 presidency, the IAEA is now working with South Africa, the current G20 president, to explore nuclear power as a clean, reliable, and scalable energy solution for sustainable development.

Africa’s Nuclear Opportunity

The publication, prepared for South Africa’s 2025 G20 presidency, highlights that Africa has just one operational nuclear power plant, the two-unit Koeberg facility in South Africa, yet over 20 countries are exploring nuclear options.

It highlights nuclear energy’s potential to diversify the energy mix, enhance energy security, and reduce carbon emissions in a region where fossil fuels still account for more than 70% of electricity generation.

Case studies from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria illustrate progress, while the report emphasizes the role of small modular reactors (SMRs), Africa’s rich uranium resources, and the need for strong infrastructure, financing solutions, and regional cooperation.

“The global interest in SMRs is increasing due to their ability to meet the need for flexible power generation for a wider range of users,” said Zizamele Mbambo, South Africa’s Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy.

According to IAEA projections, Africa’s nuclear capacity could increase tenfold by 2050 under a high-growth scenario, and still expand fivefold in the low-growth case. However, achieving this will require supportive government policies, financing frameworks, and cross-border collaboration.

“Access to reliable and low-carbon energy such as nuclear can enable Africa to add value to its vast natural resources,” said Frederik Reitsma, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Power Technology Development Section. “History shows that nuclear programmes drive industrial growth and advanced technology development in other areas.”

The report also identifies uranium mining as a growth opportunity for Namibia, Niger, and South Africa, which are already among the world’s top ten uranium producers.

Global Support and Next Steps

International partners are signaling support. Emma Wong of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) called the IAEA’s Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Africa an “insight-rich resource” to help shape global energy security frameworks.

Jean-François Gagné of the CEM Secretariat noted that the CEM works closely with the IAEA to help emerging economies, including Ghana and Kenya, explore nuclear as part of their clean energy transitions.

Looking ahead, the IAEA will engage at the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in October in South Africa, where it will release a new study on transitioning former coal sites to nuclear power.

The upcoming report will outline the economic and technical benefits of repurposing coal facilities, further cementing nuclear’s role in Africa’s sustainable energy future.