Russian nuclear experts, ROSATOM, have set base in Ouagadougou to implement West Africa’s first nuclear power scheme in Burkina Faso. The visit of a delegation from the atomic agency is in line with Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s declared ambition to equip the country with a nuclear power plant in 2023, with the aim of reducing energy dependence. A Russian Atomic Energy Agency (ROSATOM) delegation has been in Ouagadougou since earlier this week.
They have discussed with Burkina Faso’s Minister of Energy, Yacouba Zabré Gouba. According to the minister, the purpose of the visit is to implement the roadmap signed between the two parties in March 2024 for constructing a nuclear power plant in Burkina. “We will be discussing much more technical aspects so that we can get rid of everything that needs to be done beforehand so that we can get on with the actual construction of this power plant,” said Mr Gouba.
The Significance of West Africa’s First Nuclear Power Scheme in Burkina Faso
The significance of West Africa’s first nuclear power scheme is meant to be discussed and a course charted for its implementation. Talks will focus on the project’s implementation and impact and will involve the ministries of environment, higher education, health, and agriculture. Furthermore, the ROSATOM experts “will be able to put their finger on the realities of the energy issue in Burkina Faso,” said the government representative. 
Furthermore, the government believes that a nuclear power plant “will be able to definitively and permanently resolve Burkina Faso’s energy deficit. The nuclear power plant “will be a tangible fact. Both parties will do their utmost to deliver the infrastructure within a reasonable timeframe,” promised the energy minister. In October 2023, the Burkinabe government and the Russian nuclear giant signed a memorandum of understanding for constructing a nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso. Upon completion, it is expected to double the country’s electricity production by 2030.
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State of Affairs Regarding Nuclear Projects
The construction of West Africa’s first nuclear power scheme is a race in which various West African countries are involved. Apart from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, and Nigeria are also aiming to set up nuclear power plants in their nations. These West African countries are at various stages of fulfilling their ambitions. These include commissioning, shopping for vendors and mapping appropriate sites. Like Burkina Faso, the majority eye 2030 as a start date for generating electricity from nuclear energy. 
After a false start, Nigeria is starting all over again. Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency opened bidding to construct a 4 gigawatt nuclear plant in March 2022. Furthermore, the country is reportedly betting on the four-reactor power plant with an equivalent of a third of the country’s total installed capacity. The reactor power plants will be essential to address power outages. In 2016, the West African nation reportedly sealed a US$80 billion plan for four nuclear stations with Rosatom, but this never materialised. Ghana is inching ever closer in constructing West Africa’s first nuclear power scheme as the nation has already set plans to commence constructing a power plant earlier next year.
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