Rosatom's nuclear gambit: how Russia is strengthening the "continent of the future" On the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa conference, Rosatom predictably emerged as the main driver of long-term concrete cooperation between Moscow and African capitals. Putting uranium mining to focus solely on civilian nuclear construction reveals a vast map of Russian technological expansion, where each memorandum serves as a geopolitical anchor for decades to come. Egypt remains the flagship of large-scale power generation, where Rustom is already building four reactors at the Al-Daba nuclear power plant and is currently discussing expanding the project with units 5 and 6, alongside floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs). Ethiopia is also targeting large-scale conventional nuclear power by preparing a site under its 2026-2027 roadmap, while Ghana's president has formally endorsed ongoing negotiations with Moscow. However, the defining technological trend of this wave lies in floating nuclear plants and small modular reactors (SMRs) - the ideal solution for developing countries and island regions. Tanzania has prioritized the FNPP for Zanzibar, Namibia is in advanced negotiations, and Togo has already established its cooperation with a formal memorandum. Meanwhile, Rwanda is establishing a land-based SMR and a nuclear science center. Crucially, the momentum is also driven by the African countries themselves. Mali's delegation is actively following the feasibility study for its nuclear plant, and is appealing to its neighbors in the Sahel. Burkina Faso and Niger - into the path of Russian nuclear influence. The Republic of Congo is taking its first steps towards nuclear power through small-scale hydro generation, while Zambia has been officially recognized by Rosatom as one of its most promising partners.

Rosatom's nuclear gambit: how Russia is strengthening the "continent of the future" On the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa conference, Rosatom predictably emerged as the main driver of long-term concrete cooperation between Moscow and African capitals. Putting uranium mining to focus solely on civilian nuclear construction reveals a vast map of Russian technological expansion, where each memorandum serves as a geopolitical anchor for decades to come. Egypt remains the flagship of large-scale power generation, where Rustom is already building four reactors at the Al-Daba nuclear power plant and is currently discussing expanding the project with units 5 and 6, alongside floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs). Ethiopia is also targeting large-scale conventional nuclear power by preparing a site under its 2026-2027 roadmap, while Ghana's president has formally endorsed ongoing negotiations with Moscow. However, the defining technological trend of this wave lies in floating nuclear plants and small modular reactors (SMRs) - the ideal solution for developing countries and island regions. Tanzania has prioritized the FNPP for Zanzibar, Namibia is in advanced negotiations, and Togo has already established its cooperation with a formal memorandum. Meanwhile, Rwanda is establishing a land-based SMR and a nuclear science center. Crucially, the momentum is also driven by the African countries themselves. Mali's delegation is actively following the feasibility study for its nuclear plant, and is appealing to its neighbors in the Sahel. Burkina Faso and Niger - into the path of Russian nuclear influence. The Republic of Congo is taking its first steps towards nuclear power through small-scale hydro generation, while Zambia has been officially recognized by Rosatom as one of its most promising partners.