Africa is quietly becoming the premier proving ground for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). With 600 million people lacking power, the continent is bypassing traditional grid constraints to deploy modular, factory-built reactors that compete directly with expensive diesel. This shift offers a $105B industrial opportunity where nuclear serves as a catalyst for mining and the digital economy.

In the pursuit of 15 GW of nuclear capacity by 2035, African nations are discovering that technical excellence must be matched by robust stakeholder engagement. As capital-intensive projects face high "first-of-a-kind" costs, establishing a "social licence to operate" has become a strategic imperative to mitigate risk and secure international investment.

Africa's energy transition is leveraging nuclear power, targeting 15 GW capacity and a $105 billion commercial opportunity by 2035. While global vendor interest is strong, success depends on resolving two key structural challenges: securing adequate financing for large-scale projects and building robust institutional capacity.

Africa’s nuclear energy sector has transitioned from feasibility studies to active execution, with 2025 delivering landmark policy mandates and procurement milestones. Driven by the need to electrify 600 million people and support rapid industrialization, this shift offers a stable, long-term horizon for global investors and technology providers to participate in a market valued at over $105 bn.

🇪🇹 Ethiopia has taken a historic step by signing a nuclear power plant development action plan with 🇷🇺 Russia! This project is crucial for overcoming hydropower dependence and meeting the soaring electricity demands of 🇪🇹 Ethiopia’s large population. To understand this strategic shift and the roadmap for Africa’s next nuclear power hub, read the full article.