Russia Offers Africa Nuclear Power at Russia-Africa Economic Forum
Oct. 21, 2019 (EIRNS)—The Russia-Africa Economic Forum in Sochi will host a special panel discussion “Contribution of Nuclear Technologies in the Development of Africa” with the participation of Director General of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev on Oct. 23
The panel discussion will become one of the key topics of the forum’s business program. Likhachev will discuss the possibilities of nuclear technologies and their role in the development of the continent with other session participants, including the Deputy Director General and Head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications Najat Mokhtar; Head of the Zambia Atomic Energy Agency Roland Msiska; Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda Claver Gatete; Minister of Innovation and Technology of the Federal Democratic Republic Ethiopia Getahun Mekuriya Kuma, and other representatives of relevant ministries and corporations.
“Rosatom has been active in Africa for a long time. The creation and development of the nuclear industry on the African continent will not only solve the problem of the energy crisis, but also change the standard of living, providing full access to public health services, increasing the level of education and food security. We see a great interest on the part of African countries in creating new ties for further technological development. Moreover, we are ready to discuss all possible options for cooperation on the continent. I am sure that Russian-African nuclear projects will have a great future,”
said Likhachev on Oct. 15, in a preview of the Sochi event.
The forum in Sochi was also prepared by a conference in Nairobi last week featuring officials of Rosatom and over 150 energy and nuclear professionals from across the globe. Representatives from key African countries that are planning or already implementing their respective programs for developing peaceful nuclear technologies included Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia.
Speaking in Nairobi, Dmitry Shornikov, CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa, emphasized the advantages of joining the atomic club through creating nuclear industries in newcomer countries and gave an overview of projects with the maximum positive effect on the industrial development, enhancing the quality of life and developing knowledge economy.
He said:
“We are the only ones in the world who are fully vertically integrated in absolutely every segment of the nuclear value chain. We utilize this competitive advantage to create additional value by providing full support for the national nuclear energy program of the customer country at all its stages and provide access to the entire line of products and services throughout the entire life of a nuclear power plant from a single supplier.”
