Africa's Nuclear Ambition: Story of Strategic Sovereignty

The recent World Atomic Week in Moscow was a staging ground for a profound shift in global technological politics. While Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech laid the ideological foundation by rejecting “technological colonialism,” the powerful response from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revealed that the era of perpetual energy poverty and technological dependency is over.

Our vision goes beyond today. To transform our nation, we look ahead and embrace what is possible. Nuclear technology is that possibility. It provides reliable low-emission power, strengthens food security, equips doctors, optimizes water management, and empowers our scientists to innovate. For Ethiopia, nuclear is not only about energy, it's about people. It will unlock knowledge for our students, provide tools for farmers, and bring healing to patients. It is about expanding a foundation where opportunities multiply. We will pursue this responsibly, with careful planning, the highest safety standards, and by building strong local capacity. For us, nuclear power is a strategic step in becoming an active participant in artificial intelligence, in industry, and in innovation [....] Russia has shown the world what science can achieve when matched with vision. Ethiopia is ready to deepen partnership with Russia, combining their expertise with our skilled workforce and growing market to create a model of cooperation that powers our nation and inspires our continent,” the Ethiopian prime minister remarked.

Robert Sogbadji, Ghana’s Deputy Director for Nuclear Energy, spoke to Sputnik Africa at the event and described nuclear energy as the key to eradicating energy poverty in West Africa. He also noted Ghana’s need for strategic partners like Russia.

We are here to continue to deepen our cooperation. Nuclear power is going to provide sustainable energy for our industrial development. The president of the Republic of Ghana has a program, which is called the Big Push, where industries are supposed to spring up, and that will come with a requirement of energy. And this technology that we are pursuing is going to be very significant in our role, as we want to eradicate energy poverty; that is, by exporting power to our neighboring countries so that in Burkina Faso, in Nigeria, in Benin, and in Côte d'Ivoire, and even beyond where through the West African power pool, if you're able to get clean and affordable nuclear power, you will be able to eradicate energy poverty in the sub-region in West Africa,” Sogbadji noted.

Similarly, the Zimbabwean minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, also engaged with a correspondent from Sputnik Africa. He acknowledged that although Zimbabwe is ‘in its infancy,’ the country desires to leverage Russian expertise to build a sustainable pipeline of Zimbabwean specialists.

We know there is also a possibility of nuclear energy. And we have to link up with nations, countries that are experienced in this. And in your [Russian] own case, this is your 80th celebration of nuclear development, and we are only in our infancy. We want to gain from our experience and to ensure that our own country emphasizes clean energy in Zimbabwe [...] Science, technology are very important, and we want to learn from the Russian experience how to strengthen our own experiences in terms of what resources we have on hand,” the minister highlighted

These dialogues reveal that the atomic age in Africa has begun, and it is being built on a foundation of reliable partnerships and self-reliance.

Africa’s Unified Front for a New World Order

Africa’s chorus at the 80th United Nations General Assembly was unmistakable. This episode further highlights the speeches of four African presidents at the assembly. Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama powerfully asserted that the future is African. Botswana’s president, Duma Boko, stressed that the UN cannot be truly together until Africa is afforded an equal voice. Sudan’s Prime Minister, Kamil Idris, warned of "enormous dangers" to multilateralism as international law norms are being eroded, and Rwandan Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe told the 80th United Nations General Assembly that multilateralism is political will that must guide us today to build a UN fit for purpose.

Unanimously, the African leaders emphasized the urgent need for UN Security Council reform, with Africa gaining permanent representation. Africa’s message to the world is clear and unified. It is a definitive rejection of a world order where Africa is perpetually on the sidelines.

To listen to the whole conversation, tune in to the Pan-African Frequency podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.

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