How the BRICS Nuclear Energy Platform Will Transform Africa's Energy Future
As BRICS+ emerges as a formidable global powerhouse across economic, demographic, and geopolitical dimensions, it has, in many respects, surpassed the G7. Currently, the cumulative GDP of BRICS nations accounts for 35% of global GDP, while the G7 holds 30%. In terms of population, BRICS nations represent 45% of the world’s populace, compared to only 10% for the G7 (comprising the United States, Germany, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan). Moreover, BRICS members are collectively responsible for roughly 50% of global CO2 emissions, whereas the G7 contributes about 21%. One promising avenue for reducing emissions in BRICS nations is nuclear energy. All BRICS+ members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE) either operate or are building nuclear power plants; Ethiopia, though not yet possessing nuclear capacity, is actively exploring the integration of nuclear energy into its energy portfolio. As these nations collaborate to advance nuclear energy initiatives, they unlock new avenues for growth and energy independence, particularly in diverse markets such as Africa.
Under Russia's 2024 BRICS presidency, the recent BRICS+ Business Forum underscored cooperative frameworks to advance peaceful nuclear technology. Held at Moscow's Atom Museum, the forum convened representatives from BRICS+ nations who highlighted how shared nuclear initiatives could support low-carbon energy solutions across developing regions. For Africa, this gathering emphasized the potential for BRICS-led collaboration to foster an energy landscape that is reliable, sustainable, and economically advantageous, contributing to a more balanced global energy future.
Building the BRICS Nuclear Energy Platform: A Framework for Global Growth
During the forum, industry leaders discussed how the Nuclear Energy Platform could support sustainable, long-term energy solutions. This cooperative Platform will promote best practices and advanced nuclear energy and other nuclear technologies in the BRICS+ markets, providing incentives and models for nuclear projects in the BRICS+ member countries. “Practically all the states of the association are implementing projects in the field of nuclear energy. Today, many BRICS members are the technological drivers of the international nuclear market," remarked Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
For emerging markets, especially those with high energy demand and ambitious development goals, the Nuclear Energy Platform serves as a blueprint for sustainable and economically viable energy systems. Nuclear energy’s low-carbon, reliable, and cost-effective nature makes it a strong addition to energy strategies, particularly in markets where other forms of clean energy are still developing.
Nuclear Growth Momentum: Strategic Opportunities in Expanding Markets
The rapid momentum in nuclear energy development across the BRICS+ region underscores a transformative commitment to establishing robust and sustainable energy infrastructures, not only within member states but also in emerging markets with substantial growth potential. This trend is most evident in Africa, where a wave of new nuclear projects has gained traction, facilitated by international partnerships and ambitious national energy goals. Projections suggest that by 2035, up to 15 GW of nuclear capacity could be operational across the continent, offering a vital supplement to the region’s energy mix and addressing pressing needs for reliable power.
Several African nations are now advancing concrete nuclear initiatives, with Egypt, Ghana, and Uganda among those actively pursuing nuclear power to enhance energy security and meet growing electricity demand. These projects, supported by a blend of domestic and international investments, represent significant milestones in Africa’s energy transition. Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, a high-profile collaboration with Russia’s Rosatom, stands as a flagship project for the region, designed to deliver consistent, low-carbon power to support Egypt’s economic and industrial growth. Ghana, too, is moving steadily toward its nuclear goals, laying the groundwork for infrastructure that will support reliable power generation for decades. Likewise, Uganda has laid out plans to introduce nuclear energy to stabilize its grid and support development, with further backing from international partners. South Africa, the first African country to establish nuclear energy with its Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, remains central to the continent’s nuclear landscape as it works to extend Koeberg’s operational life and explore options for additional reactors. Meanwhile, other African countries such as Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya have set ambitious targets to integrate nuclear power into their national energy strategies. Each of these nations recognizes the potential of nuclear energy to provide stable, climate-resilient electricity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and facilitate long-term economic growth.
The expansion of nuclear infrastructure across the continent underscores a growing awareness of nuclear energy’s role in building resilient energy systems that can support industrial growth while minimizing environmental impact. By collaborating with BRICS+ partners, African nations are not only advancing their energy independence but also positioning themselves at the forefront of a global movement toward low-carbon, reliable, and economically transformative energy solutions.
Russia and China: Pioneers in Expanding Global Nuclear Influence
Leading BRICS nations, particularly Russia and China, are at the forefront of efforts to advance nuclear technology across emerging markets, offering expertise and resources to nations aspiring to establish or expand their nuclear energy sectors. According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia has forged a series of nuclear cooperation agreements with African nations, solidifying partnerships to support nuclear energy development. These agreements span across Algeria (2014), Ghana (2015), Ethiopia (2019), Congo (2019), Nigeria (2012, 2016), Rwanda (2018), South Africa (2004), Sudan (2017), Tunisia (2016), Uganda (2019), and Zambia (2016), with additional Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with Kenya (2016), Morocco (2017), Burkina Faso, and Mali (2023).
China, meanwhile, is leveraging its Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as a platform to cultivate long-term nuclear partnerships throughout Africa. Notable agreements with nations like Kenya and Sudan reflect China’s strategic commitment to energy collaboration, aimed at supporting sustainable growth in countries with increasing energy demands. Through these partnerships, China is assisting in the development of essential frameworks and infrastructure, fostering reliable energy transitions in some of Africa’s most rapidly expanding economies. Together, these initiatives underscore a shared BRICS+ commitment to empowering emerging markets with sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions.
BRICS+ members are advancing a strategic framework to position nuclear energy as a central component in achieving clean energy goals and driving global decarbonization efforts. The alliance seeks to foster equitable conditions that enable nuclear power to play a significant role in the sustainable energy transition, emphasizing partnerships that are free from political biases and discrimination. By promoting a cooperative model, BRICS+ aims to establish a trusted platform for both developers and users of peaceful nuclear technologies, one that also facilitates the adoption of best practices and innovative approaches to energy within BRICS+ and beyond.
To this end, BRICS+ members are focused on sharing knowledge, technical expertise, and engineering services with nations seeking to enhance their nuclear capabilities. The alliance also aims to open access to BRICS+ financial instruments to support the development of nuclear projects, from advanced reactor designs to robust nuclear fuel cycle initiatives. By promoting cooperation across these domains, BRICS+ supports the growth of sustainable nuclear energy supply chains and the advancement of technologies that ensure the safe, reliable operation of nuclear facilities. Furthermore, these collaborative efforts are essential to the realization of an interconnected energy landscape, one that can benefit from BRICS-driven technological and operational standards.
Another key priority is to build public acceptance for nuclear projects while also exploring non-energy applications of nuclear technology, such as in nuclear medicine, agriculture, plasma, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence. Through research, public engagement, and marketing, BRICS+ intends to demonstrate the broader societal benefits of nuclear advancements. Additionally, the platform encourages collaboration between public and private BRICS+ entities to align initiatives with existing global industry standards, promoting cooperation across international organizations and shaping future trends in nuclear technology. It is worth noting that the agreements discussed at the recent BRICS meeting in Moscow remain voluntary and non-binding, serving as a framework for collaboration rather than formal international commitments.
For emerging markets, particularly in Africa, this partnerships opens doors to feasible, impactful nuclear energy opportunities. As these collaborations grow, nuclear power becomes a viable solution for countries aiming to balance development with environmental goals—positioning Africa and other emerging economies at the forefront of reliable, sustainable energy for years to come.
