Opinion
As Africa eyes nuclear energy to meet growing energy demands – is continent ready to handle related risks?
Africa is growing rapidly, yet the continent, which is faced with an energy deficit, is keen on finding new sources.
Speakers at a recent meeting dubbed “Stakeholder Involvement and Public Communication for New and Expanding Nuclear Power Countries in Africa,” held in Nairobi between November 5 and 8, spoke of a continent that has realized the importance of nuclear energy.
By 2011, at least 10 African countries had expressed interest in becoming the continent’s next nuclear powers.
“Have you heard of any country that has moved from a developing to a developed nation by using solar power?,” asked Collins Juma, Kenya’s nuclear power project technical affairs director.
Allan Bonner, a nuclear consultant for the Kenyan government, said there was a need to find ways to seal the energy gap on the continent and to industrialize.
“Many African countries are eyeing nuclear power to meet increased demand for energy as populations rise,” said Dr Bonner.
Their sentiments are supported by scientists who say new, smaller and more flexible nuclear technologies can benefit developing countries.
Advocates of nuclear power see it as a “silver bullet,” that can help Africa become industrialized.
