Zimbabwe partners with Russia for nuclear energy boost

Zimbabwe, facing a shortage of electricity, has decided to collaborate with Russia in building small nuclear reactors. This information was conveyed by Edgar Moyo, the Minister of Energy and Power Development of Zimbabwe. The country plans to increase its energy production to 4,000 megawatts by 2035, up from the current 2,600 megawatts.

Joseph Siegle, Director of Research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, expressed concern about the financial and security aspects of this undertaking. He noted that Zimbabwe has excellent conditions for harnessing solar energy.

"Most economists would argue that those deals cost far more than are warranted for the benefits that they would provide to their economies and to their societies," said Siegle, as quoted by "Voice of America." He also warned of the risk of corruption associated with such large projects.

Russia has already signed agreements for the construction of nuclear power plants with Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Burkina Faso. Mali is still negotiating, and Kenya has not made a decision on the contractor. Rwanda opted out of the Russian offer, choosing the Canadian-German company Dual Fluid Energy. Currently, the only African country producing nuclear energy is South Africa, where the Koeberg power plant, built by France, is already 40 years old. Its expansion has been entrusted to the Russian company Rosatom.

By supporting poorer African countries, Russia aims to make them dependent on it for many years, allowing it to expand its influence on the continent and weaken sanctions imposed by the West for the invasion of Ukraine.