Russia discusses floating nuclear plants in Africa

Russia's state atomic power agency Rosatom said it is in advanced talks with Egypt, Namibia, Tanzania and Togo about building floating nuclear power stations to help address power shortages.

Rosatom director general Alexey Likhachev said after a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow that nine African countries had expressed interest and that advanced talks had begun with the four countries.

Likhachev said some African economies pay high electricity prices despite weak financial positions, and said floating nuclear plants were an area where Russia was prepared to supply electricity. He said 38 African nations have access to the sea and could use the plants.

Several countries are developing floating nuclear reactor technology. Russia operates a floating nuclear plant in its isolated Chukotka region, opened in 2020.

Likhachev also spoke of a uranium extraction project and a plan for a lithium mine in Mali, which he said has estimated reserves of more than 4,000 tonnes.