South Africa is exploring new allies in its bid to expand nuclear power, with Russia and Iran emerging as possible partners.
A senior government minister hinted at this shift, but analysts caution that it could deepen tensions with the United States and complicate efforts to renew a crucial energy agreement.
Home to Africa’s only nuclear power plant, Koeberg, South Africa is pushing to add 2,500 megawatts of capacity, both to ease crippling power cuts and to move toward a greener future, Reuters reported.
“We can’t have a contract that says Iran or Russia must not bid, we can’t have that condition,” Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, one of the government’s leading proponents of expanding nuclear capacity, said.
“If they are the best in terms of the offer on the table, we’ll take any (country),” he said
Tensions between the U.S. and South Africa have escalated after President Donald Trump froze aid to the country, citing concerns over a new land expropriation law. Washington has been keeping a close eye on Pretoria ever since.
Trump’s order, though lacking concrete evidence, accused South Africa of strengthening its ties with Iran to pursue commercial, military, and nuclear collaborations, adding fuel to an already strained relationship.
The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed claims of any nuclear-related cooperation with Iran, stating that no such bilateral agreement exists.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has remained tight-lipped on whether Russia or Iran could assist South Africa in expanding its civilian nuclear capacity.
Plans for a nuclear project tender, originally set for last year, have faced delays due to legal challenges spearheaded by the Democratic Alliance, which was then in opposition but is now part of the coalition government.
For nearly a decade, Pretoria and Washington have been working toward a new civilian nuclear pact, known as a Section 123 Agreement, which is required for the export of U.S.-made nuclear fuel and equipment.
However, the process has stalled, and the U.S. State Department has not commented on whether Trump’s recent executive order will impact the negotiations.
The previous agreement, established in 1997, expired in December 2022. While negotiations for a new deal have been completed at a technical level, legal formalities on both sides remain unfinished, according to Zizamele Mbambo, a senior official in South Africa’s energy ministry.
Without a new deal, South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, could face difficulties in sourcing reactor fuel for Unit 1 at the Koeberg nuclear plant from U.S.-based Westinghouse, industry analysts warn. Meanwhile, Unit 2 continues to receive its supply from France’s Framatome.
Russia in Africa’s nuclear race
As America’s influence in Africa diminishes, new players like China and Russia are stepping in. Russia, in particular, has been aggressively expanding its presence in Africa’s nuclear energy sector, forging agreements with 15 countries across the continent.
Moscow’s increasing presence in Africa’s nuclear landscape is more than just an energy play, it’s a strategic move to strengthen its geopolitical influence. By positioning itself as a key partner in solving Africa’s energy challenges, Russia is advancing both its economic interests and its broader global ambitions.
