The Viability of Nuclear Energy in Africa: A Technical, Economic, and Political Review

Abstract

The announcement at COP28 in December, 2023, of a multilateral agreement to triple nuclear energy production by 2050 was a significant milestone in the advancement of the nuclear industry. It demonstrated a global acknowledgement that nuclear energy is vital to the attainment of climate goals set forth earlier in the Paris Agreement of 2015. It also signaled a paradigm shift in the perception of the safety and viability of nuclear power on a global scale. This research addresses reasons why nuclear energy is now being embraced by the global community. It delves into the sources of historic stigma associated with nuclear energy, advances in processes and technology to enhance the safety of nuclear, the viability of technology writ large, and assesses whether nuclear development is appropriate for emerging markets, particularly on the African continent. This thesis takes the hypothetical case study of Djibouti since the nation exhibits both positive and negative potential when it comes to nuclear development. My research methods included technical resources, articles, peer-reviewed papers, and interviews with individuals who have a vested interest in the infrastructure development of sub-Saharan countries in Africa.

Keywords: nuclear energy, nuclear power, energy transition, Africa, African energy, COP28, clean energy, decarbonization