Nuclear for Africa

The Namibia Atomic Energy Board is hard at work promoting nuclear energy and technology for Namibia’s development. Board member Colin Namalambo was in online conversation with Ibrahim Ababou of the Nuclear Business Platform on Friday, when Namalambo explained that the important milestone of cabinet approval in principle, for a local nuclear fuel cycle policy, was already reached in 2014. Also the national nuclear science and technology policy looking at health, agricultural and water management applications, together define the main objectives that the Namibia Atomic Energy Board must implement. Last year the board invited interested international players to Namibia to discuss this implementation, Namalambo said. He notes that Namibia also has a National Radiation Protection Authority, responsible for licensing on referral from the board. To date 22 licenses have been issued in relation to radioactivite and nuclear material, as well as 123 related to storage and six specifically for transportation. Namibia is signatory to a multitude of related best practice agreements in relation to radioactive materials, he said. The board is also responsible for radiation and nuclear energy advice for ministers.“Namibia has been mining uranium since the 1960’s but we want to process uranium here,” Namalambo encapsulated the national ambition. The problem is, as he summed it up: “People hear ‘nuclear’ and all they see is bombs.” Namalambo insists; “It is up to us to explain that nuclear science and technology can play a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the nation.”To this end the board started a program last year entitled: Youth in Nuclear. Through this initiative secondary school engagements are taking place all around the country as the board continues to lobby for the inclusion of nuclear science in the Namibian national high-school curriculum.Work is also being done to explain nuclear energy to Namibian politicians. Namalambo says that political will is absolutely necessary for the implementation of national policies. “It is a good sign that the technology is being embraced at the highest level. Our incoming president has recently referred to nuclear science and technology,” he said. “We must take ownership of our uranium,” says Namalambo, “we need to go beyond the mining of uranium and into the fuel cycle. We ask ourselves what role can Namibia play in Africa. We have a special responsibility to engage on a regional level. We have already signed many agreements, with South Africa for example, and we intend to work with other African countries. We need to give priority to Africa. Africa needs a clear understanding on what we want. Countries like South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana are already really advanced. Countries like Rwanda and Uganda are also shaping up. Many have agreements with countries outside the continent and we also work with Russia and China, while there are also discussions with American companies interested in nuclear industries because of our abundant uranium resource. We have had discussions with South Africa and have identified priority areas, with documents ready to be signed at the ministerial level.”According to Namalambo preconditions for cooperation agreements are three-fold: It must be a clear win-win situation, with local beneficiation, and practical solutions to local problems like drought resistant crops, water desalination and food irradiation. “There is so much talent on this continent, and people who are knowledgeable. We need to create and present the opportunities for them here, to realise that the future is Africa.” Namalambo highlighted the need to get the financial sector and local banks interested in financing nuclear power and science developments. “Local investment must be foremost,” he said. In Austria at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference on ‘Shaping the Future’ last year, Namalambo was able to present Namibia’s stance to colleagues from Niger, the United Nations and South Africa, but he wants other discussions with Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco and Egypt. An upcoming opportunity to do so will be hosted by the Nuclear Business Platform, and Ababou extended the invitation to the African Nuclear Business Platform 2025 which will take place from 22 to 24 April in Morocco. He called it, “an opportunity to explore how collaborative efforts can thrive Africa’s nuclear future.”Namalambo said: “We shouldn’t meet in Vienna to discuss our problems, let us meet in Africa.”

Nuclear for Africa

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Republikein 2025-03-31

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