Namibia and Russia are seeking to speed up the conclusion of an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as both countries deepen ties in the nuclear sector.
According to Russia’s state nuclear agency, Rosatom, the discussions took place this week during a meeting with a Namibian delegation currently in the Eurasian country. The delegation was led by Namibia’s minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, and met with Rosatom officials in Moscow, Russia’s capital.
Rosatom said the talks focused on advancing the timeline for the proposed agreement. As reported by Sputnik, the Russian nuclear agency plans to complete its uranium exploration activities in Namibia by 2026 and begin mining operations by 2029.
The renewed engagement builds on earlier discussions between the two countries. In April last year, Namibia confirmed it had opened talks with the Russian Federation on the possible construction of a nuclear power plant, according to Business Insider Africa.
The initiative is aimed at harnessing Namibia’s vast uranium resources while reducing the country’s reliance on electricity imports from South Africa.
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Namibia is currently the world’s third-largest producer of uranium. During those earlier talks, Namibia’s President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev to explore expanded nuclear energy cooperation in one of Africa’s leading uranium-producing nations.
By June, Rosatom had formally communicated its intention to construct its first nuclear power plant in the Southern African country. Speaking on Namibia’s prospects, Ryan Collyer, CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa, said,
“We see Namibia as a highly promising partner in the field of nuclear energy… not only as a resource-rich nation, but also as a forward-thinking country with the potential to become a regional leader in low-carbon energy.”
According to the World Nuclear Association, Namibia’s uranium mines have the capacity to supply up to 10% of the world’s nuclear fuel needs.
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Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
