Namibia accounts for about 10% of global uranium production, while Russia controls about 40% of the world’s enrichment capacity. The African nation recognised that with such expertise, Russia would help it transition from a seller of raw materials to a significant global producer of processed uranium ready for use in reactors.
The African country seeks support
The Kremlin is taking advantage of the continent’s growing energy demand and disappointment with the West, which demands African countries transition to alternative green energy, something Africa cannot afford. Without stipulating any demands, Russia sent Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev to Namibia in April, where he discussed using ample uranium resources with Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Namibia’s expectations are enormous. According to the Namibian Uranium Association (NUA), the country’s authorities anticipate that developing domestic facilities will create jobs for over 5,000 skilled workers in the nuclear sector by 2030. Thanks to domestic uranium refining, tax revenues are expected to rise by about €269.1 million annually, and the nuclear sector will attract over €1.08 billion in foreign investments.
The World Bank also encourages Namibia to make changes. It believes uranium refining could swiftly elevate Namibia to an upper-middle-income country.
The Kremlin has its own interest
Russia is not acting altruistically in Namibia. It aims to secure about 25% of the global uranium supply by 2030. Namibia is essential for achieving this plan because it possesses the highest quality of uranium worldwide, and neither the country nor its resources are subject to Western sanctions. These sanctions, following Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine in 2022, have disrupted about 60% of Russia’s foreign joint investments in the nuclear sector.
Uganda is another African country with significant untapped uranium resources. Russia has already signed a preliminary nuclear agreement with it. The Russian state energy giant Rosatom is discussing atomic energy development programmes with Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Zambia. Collaboration with African countries helps the Kremlin maintain its position as a global leader in nuclear energy.
Source: MSN.com
