№ 6 (64), 2025. PIR Center has prepared an analytical report «Prospects for Russia’s Cooperation with African and Persian Gulf States in the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy»

MOSCOW. FEBRUARY 24, 2025. PIR PRESS. “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.

PIR Center is pleased to announce the completion of its analytical report, “Prospects for Russia’s Cooperation with African and Persian Gulf States in the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy.” The report was authored by Sviatoslav Arov, Research Fellow at PIR Center.

The African track is becoming an increasingly important aspect of PIR Center’s activities. In 2023, PIR Center launched two new research projects: “Prospects for Cooperation between Russia and the Gulf States on Global Security and High Technologies” and “Prospects for Cooperation between Russia and Sub-Saharan African States on Global Security and High Technologies.”

Since then, PIR Center has published three research papers (in Russian) on Russia’s prospects for cooperation with African and Persian Gulf countries in the field of high technologies. Additionally, two reports were published in Security Index Occasional Papers Series (in English). In 2024, PIR Center, in partnership with Rossotrudnichestvo and MGIMO University, held the First Russian-African Forum of Young International Relations Professionals on Security and Development.

This branch of PIR Center’s activity aligns with the goals of Russia’s foreign policy, as approved by the President of Russia. This was emphasized by Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, in his congratulatory address on the occasion of PIR Center’s 30th anniversary.

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 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.

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.
• Every year, hydrocarbon reserves in Gulf countries are depleting, 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.

A summary of the report and key materials is available in special issues of PIR Center’s Security Index in Russian: “Prospects for Russia’s cooperation with the Persian Gulf States in the peaceful use of nuclear energy” and “Prospects for Russia’s cooperation with African states in the peaceful use of atomic energy.”

Last year, PIR Center also published English-language summaries of reports on the development of high-tech sectors in Africa and the Gulf.

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.

This report will be posted on PIR Center’s website later this year. Currently, its hard copy is being provided to key Russian decision-makers, executives, state corporations, etc. in charge of the issues raised in the report.

Keywords: Atomic Energy, Peaceful Atom; Africa; The Gulf

RUF, AFR, GULF

F4/SOR – 25/02/24