Rosatom to support development of human resources for Africa’s nuclear sector

Rosatom to support development of human resources for Africa’s nuclear sector—-The Russian State Corporation Rosatom and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries of Burkina Faso signed three memoranda of understanding on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2024).

The documents were signed by Director General of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, and the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Quarries of Burkina Faso, Yaсouba Zabré Gouba.

The memoranda cover training and education in the field of nuclear energy, assessment and development of nuclear infrastructure, and promoting positive public opinion about nuclear energy. The documents set out the framework for cooperation in these areas to support the development of a national programme for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The memoranda specify concrete steps to build human resources for Burkina Faso’s nuclear sector. Efforts will include cooperation between educational institutions, joint short-term educational programmes, teacher training, development of educational and scientific literature, and student exchanges.

The parties also intend to determine the current needs for the development of Burkina Faso’s nuclear infrastructure. This work will follow IAEA recommendations and Rosatom’s best practices.

The cooperation document on positive public opinion includes activities aimed at raising public awareness of the benefits of nuclear technology and non-energy applications of nuclear energy (particularly in medicine and agriculture).

Rosatom has a long history of partnering with African countries in human resources development. The company signed relevant memorandums with Mali, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso in 2022- 2024.

Over 400 international students do their practical internships at Rosatom resource centers annually. More than 60 of these students come from different African countries, such as South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Namibia.

The State Corporation Rosatom offers foreign customers a comprehensive solution that provides access to the entire range of products and services throughout the life cycle of a nuclear power plant.

This includes construction of nuclear power plants using Russian technology, developing nuclear infrastructure; forming relevant legislative framework; training national personnel; involving local industry; supplying fuel, maintaining and assisting in operating the plant; handling spent nuclear fuel (SNF); and ensuring public acceptance of nuclear energy.