10 May 2023

The African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) is proud to announce the launch of its ambitious five-year programme, “Uplifting Nuclear Safeguards in Africa,” at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), Pretoria, from May 8-11, 2023. The programme aims to strengthen nuclear material control measures in Africa with the expert support of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) and will be funded by the European Union and the Republic of Finland.

“The programme we have just launched is a major opportunity to develop nuclear safeguards in Africa. African states are in different stages when it comes to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and many need to build capacity to maintain state systems of accounting for and control of nuclear materials, and to effectively implement IAEA safeguards,” said Enobot Agboraw, Executive Secretary of the AFCONE.

The Government of South Africa, represented by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and Necsa, is the designated Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC) for the English-speaking countries to support AFCONE’s Safeguards programme. The functions of the Regional Collaborating Centre include the provision of analytical services, conducting of nuclear research, standardisation of technology, support and organisation of conferences and training activities. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that the African continent, which is rich in natural resources, utilises nuclear energy for its socioeconomic development, thereby becoming self-sufficient in the field of nuclear energy.

Click here for full text.