Kenya's nuclear ambitions have taken a significant step forward after the country's Nuclear Power and Energy Agency opened talks with Egypt on cooperation in nuclear energy development. Agency chief executive Justus Wabuyabo met Egypt's ambassador to Kenya, Hatem Yousri Hosni, to explore how the two countries can work together on building their nuclear programmes.

The engagement offers Nairobi a chance to learn from a continental neighbour that is already building its first reactor. Egypt is constructing its first nuclear power plant at El Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast, a four-reactor project that places Cairo at precisely the point in the nuclear development journey that Kenya is working towards. The lessons cover project preparation, regulatory readiness, workforce development, safety culture, public communication and site management.

Kenya's nuclear agenda runs on two parallel tracks, and both stand to benefit from Egyptian cooperation. The Nuclear Power Programme is intended to deliver electricity generation capacity on a long-term horizon, while the Research Reactor Programme serves a different purpose. Kenya has identified Konza Technopolis as the planned location for its research reactor, a facility expected to contribute to education, healthcare and the production of medical isotopes, as well as training a new generation of scientists and engineers.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has supported Kenya in developing its nuclear infrastructure, including workforce development, legal and regulatory frameworks, training and fellowships, and an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review. Kenya has also established the National Nuclear Regulatory Authority and identified potential sites for nuclear power plants. The partnership with Egypt is built on African solidarity rather than external dependence alone, with both countries sharing a vision of energy security for the continent. Read the full report on the partnership.