Africa’s Uranium Momentum: How the Nations Could Convert Resource Wealth into Nuclear Power

Africa’s uranium-rich nations are standing at a turning point—one that could redefine their roles in the global nuclear energy business. For decades, the continent’s uranium deposits have largely been a one-way export commodity, fuelling foreign reactors while leaving little impact on domestic energy systems. But recent moves in Namibia, Niger, Tanzania, and a growing number of emerging players show a strategic shift: leveraging uranium not just as a mineral resource, but as the foundation for energy independence, industrial development, and geopolitical influence.

This evolving landscape is unfolding at a time when global demand for nuclear fuel is surging. The twin pressures of decarbonisation and energy security are pushing both established and newcomer nuclear nations to secure long-term uranium supply. For Africa’s resource-rich countries, this is more than an opportunity—it is a moment to transform market leverage into lasting infrastructure, advanced technology partnerships, and a diversified energy mix.

Namibia: From Export Champion to Nuclear Fuel Cycle Player

Namibia has been a pillar of the global uranium industry for decades. In 2022, it ranked as the world’s third-largest producer, contributing 5,613 tonnes—11.37% of global production. The country’s production, anchored by the Rössing and Husab mines, averages about 6,000 tonnes of uranium oxide annually, roughly 10% of global supply.

The Rössing mine, operational since 1976, recently secured a life-of-mine extension from 2025 to 2036, ensuring continued output from one of the world’s most recognised uranium assets. But Namibia is no longer content with being just an exporter of raw uranium. In April 2025, it entered a strategic partnership with Russia aimed at capturing greater value from its resources. The plan includes investments of $450 million for domestic uranium processing infrastructure and $75 million for a nuclear research facility.

Namibia’s objective is ambitious—capturing at least 25% of the downstream processing value of its uranium resources within the next decade. The move is expected to generate up to 2,500 high-skilled jobs and contribute $1.8 billion annually to GDP by 2030. As Vice President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stated: “Cognizant to that fact, I made it a point that we must follow the discussions on nuclear use for clean energy production and development.”

This partnership with Russia not only deepens Namibia’s fuel cycle capabilities but also positions it strategically in the global energy market, diversifying its alliances and increasing its negotiating power in uranium supply agreements.

Niger: Resource Sovereignty and Industrial Ambitions

Niger’s uranium is equally strategic—supplying over a quarter of the European Union’s uranium needs in 2022. However, political changes and disputes with long-time partners have set the stage for a more assertive approach to resource management.

In June 2025, Niger announced the nationalisation of the Somaïr uranium mine, a joint venture with France’s Orano, following disputes over production sharing and operational control. The government accused Orano of “disproportionate commercialized production” and impeding operations after the 2023 regime change. Officials proclaimed the nationalisation as a means to achieve “healthier and more sustainable management” and ensure a fairer share of uranium’s value for Niger.

This resource sovereignty aligns directly with Niger’s Nuclear Power Program, which is embedded in the country’s National Industrial Policy. The policy envisions nuclear power as a cornerstone of industrialisation, providing stable, high-quality electricity to support advanced processing and manufacturing industries. Dr. Zeinabou Mindaoudou Souley, Chairperson of the High Authority for Atomic Energy (HANEA), reinforced this point: “Through this policy, the Nuclear Power Program will contribute very significantly to national industrial development, providing energy in quality and quantity for the development of high value-added processing activities.”

Niger is also exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) to accelerate its electrification goals, particularly in rural and underserved areas. SMRs, with their faster deployment and lower upfront costs, could give Niger the flexibility to expand energy access while building capacity for larger-scale nuclear facilities in the future.

Tanzania: Entering the Uranium and Nuclear Arena

With uranium reserves estimated at over 58,500 tonnes, Tanzania holds one of Africa’s largest untapped deposits. Until now, commercial production has been constrained by infrastructure, environmental concerns, and market volatility. That changed on July 30, 2025, when President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched a $400 million uranium processing plant at the Mkuju River, part of a $1.2 billion extraction and processing initiative in partnership with Russia’s Rosatom. 

The plant is expected to process around 300,000 tonnes of uranium over the next 20 years, marking a decisive step toward positioning uranium as a key pillar of Tanzania’s development strategy. President Hassan emphasised the significance of the project: “This project reflects Tanzania’s commitment to responsibly tap into its natural resources to support sustainable development.” This pilot project  is already producing yellowcake to test processes; a full-scale plant (3,000 tU/yr) is slated for construction in 2026, with completion by 2029.

She also addressed long-standing public concerns about uranium-powered electricity: “For many years, the country has been told that generating electricity using uranium is dangerous, yet developing countries are already using this source to power their grids. There is a need for this project to commence so that Tanzanians can benefit.”

By linking uranium extraction to potential nuclear power generation, Tanzania is signalling its readiness to join Africa’s growing group of nuclear energy aspirants, with the potential to export surplus electricity to regional markets.

Beyond the Big Three: Emerging Players in the African Nuclear Landscape

Beyond the leading uranium producers, other African nations are positioning themselves for a greater role in the nuclear energy landscape. South Africa, while a relatively small uranium producer in 2022 with 200 tonnes, maintains a firm commitment to nuclear power. The government has classified uranium as a “critical mineral” in its bid to reclaim a prominent role in the nuclear industry, although it is currently designated as “moderately critical” in the country’s Critical Minerals and Mining Strategy. Further north, Uganda is actively exploring uranium deposits, aiming to utilise domestically sourced uranium for nuclear power generation by 2031. These moves reflect a broader continental trend, where nations increasingly view uranium not merely as an export commodity, but as a foundation for energy independence, a diversified energy mix, and a long-term solution to chronic electricity deficits—aligning with global climate goals while advancing industrialisation and poverty reduction.

Morocco is also emerging as a potential heavyweight. Known primarily for its vast phosphate deposits, the country holds significant uranium resources embedded in phosphate rock—estimated to account for 73% of the world’s phosphate reserves. According to the Middle East Institute in Washington, Morocco could become a “global giant in producing essential uranium material,” with potential recoverable reserves exceeding Australia’s known uranium resources threefold. Should Morocco decide to fully harness this potential, it could secure a dominant position in global uranium supply chains while building the foundations of a domestic nuclear energy infrastructure.

Moving Ahead: From Supplier to Global Nuclear Powerhouse

Africa’s nuclear energy prospects are anchored in the urgent need to close one of the world’s most severe electricity access gaps—an estimated 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa remain without power. Fossil fuels have proven inadequate to meet soaring demand, prompting many nations to view nuclear energy as a sustainable, low-carbon, and high-output alternative. Uranium-rich countries such as Niger and Namibia are positioned to leverage their resources to achieve energy independence, reduce reliance on costly imports, and secure a stable electricity supply essential for industrialisation.

While South Africa remains the only operational nuclear power nation on the continent, with decades of experience at Koeberg and plans for expansion, others are quickly advancing. Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will soon add 4,800 MW to its grid, while Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda are laying the institutional and technical foundations for their own nuclear programs. The global shift toward SMRs offers a pathway tailored to Africa’s needs—providing flexible, scalable, and economically viable solutions for both grid-connected and isolated applications, from powering mines to enabling desalination and hydrogen production.

By 2035, Africa could require up to 15,000 MW of nuclear capacity, opening a market estimated at over $100 billion. Through coordinated strategies in uranium extraction, processing, and nuclear deployment, African nations have the opportunity not only to meet domestic energy needs but also to strengthen their collective influence in global energy negotiations—transforming the continent from a resource supplier into a decisive player in the international nuclear arena. A key milestone in this journey will be the 5th Africa Nuclear Business Platform (AFNBP) 2026, scheduled for 21–23 April 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, and hosted by the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC). This premier forum will bring together policymakers, global stakeholders, and industry leaders to define the next phase of Africa’s nuclear trajectory—making it a critical moment for strategic engagement and partnership building.