MainPIR Press News№ 11 (69), 2025. PIR Center together with MGIMO University has published an analytical report «Prospects for Russia’s Cooperation with African and Persian Gulf States in the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy»
№ 11 (69), 2025. PIR Center together with MGIMO University has published an analytical report «Prospects for Russia’s Cooperation with African and Persian Gulf States in the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy»
MOSCOW. APRIL 10, 2025. PIR PRESS. “The field of peaceful uses of atomic energy represents huge prospects for cooperation between Russia and the countries of Africa and the Persian Gulf. It is encouraging that PIR Center together with MGIMO University has systematically undertaken the study of bilateral ties in this area and presented the first comprehensive report of its kind. The author has done a good job of searching for material on the history of relations, as well as the current status of Russia’s cooperation with African and Persian Gulf countries. The objective overview of bilateral ties in the field of peaceful nuclear energy presented in the work will be useful to representatives of government agencies, not only to the average reader. Moreover, both African and Persian Gulf countries have a demand for cooperation with Russia in this area,” – Grigory Shalamov, PhD in Political Science, Chief Specialist of the Africa and Latin America Division of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.
The report provides an overview of the current state of cooperation between Russia and the countries of Africa and the Persian Gulf in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy, and analyzes the prospects for bringing such interaction to a new stage.
The report has been prepared within the framework of the joint project of PIR Center and MGIMO University «Global Security, Strategic Stability, and Arms Control» under the auspices of the «Priority-2030» Strategic Academic Leadership Program.
Russia is actively developing cooperation with African and Persian Gulf countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This cooperation covers a wide range of areas, but the foundation for further development is still being laid. In the future, we can expect deeper engagement in peaceful nuclear energy, not only through nuclear power plant (NPP) construction but also in the non-energy sector. A mutually beneficial partnership in this field serves as an important factor in stability and prosperity for these regions, offering new prospects for economic growth and addressing global energy challenges.
“Strengthening and expanding Russia’s dialogue with the Global South and East is evident today. Developing relations with Africa is a high priority for Russia, as is expanding dialogue between Moscow and the Persian Gulf countries. In this context, cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy presents great opportunities for all sides. African countries are experiencing electricity shortages, driving their interest in any energy sector solutions. At the same time, for Gulf states, peaceful nuclear energy represents an opportunity to diversify electricity sources, and the construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) can help address the challenge of water desalination,” – Sviatoslav Arov, Research Fellow at PIR Center.
The preparation of this report was preceded by comprehensive work by the author, including interviews with experts and practitioners in the field of nuclear energy, as well as with specialists with regional expertise and representatives of the government and analytical sector of the countries covered in the publication. The report was also presented at PIR Center’s expert seminar, where it received high praise from experts and specialists.
Alexey Ubeev, member of PIR Center Advisory Board, independent expert, lecturer at the International Security Master’s Program of MGIMO University, former Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department of the State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom”: “The report presents an in-depth analysis of the prospects for Russia’s cooperation with African and Persian Gulf states in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. The author comprehensively examines the economic, political and technological aspects of cooperation, based on up-to-date data on projects and challenges, which makes the study valuable for understanding the current agenda. A comprehensive approach to assessing infrastructural and regulatory barriers deserves special attention. The report is highly commendable as a practice-oriented study that combines academic rigor with applied findings”.
Key Takeaways from the report:
In assessing the prospects for building NPPs in Africa, it is necessary to consider a number of factors that hinder opportunities for engagement: economic conditions, underdeveloped electricity grid infrastructure, lack of human resources, social and political instability, and lack of political continuity in some countries.
Most African countries face energy deficits, which is one of the major impediments to the sustainable economic growth of states in the region. This situation increases demand for energy solutions among African governments.
Today, Russia should focus on creating the infrastructure for a long-term presence in Africa and the Gulf countries by training personnel, participating in the development of sectoral strategies, roadmaps, and action plans, supporting legal and regulatory frameworks, and establishing nuclear science and technology centers as a foundation for further expansion.
Hydrocarbon reserves in Gulf countries are depleting every year, prompting them to turn to new sources of electricity. Additionally, the construction of NPPs can help address the challenge of water desalination in the region.
A key factor that may hinder the strengthening of Russia’s dialogue with Persian Gulf countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy is their close ties with the United States.
