Mali’s ruling military junta and Russia’s state nuclear company, Rosatom, have signed three cooperation agreements and discussed several energy projects, including the construction of a Russian-designed low-power nuclear power plant in Mali.
Rosatom announced these developments on Wednesday.
For years, Rosatom has been actively engaging with African countries to expand its business, signing numerous cooperation agreements across the continent.
This effort includes strengthening ties with the military juntas in West Africa’s Sahel region, which have distanced themselves from traditional Western allies following a series of coups since 2020.
In a statement, Rosatom said it met with Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goita, on July 2 and 3, holding negotiations with junta officials responsible for the economy, energy, and education.
Discussions focused on a “strategic project to build a Russian-designed low-power nuclear power plant in Mali.”
The talks also covered solar power generation and geological exploration projects, though specific details about the proposed nuclear plant were not disclosed.
Rosatom emphasized the intention to maintain close contacts and periodically coordinate positions as the joint work progresses.
Currently, the only operational nuclear power station in Africa is South Africa’s Koeberg plant near Cape Town, though Rosatom is constructing another plant in Egypt.
A significant 9,600-megawatt nuclear power deal between South Africa and Russia was blocked by a court challenge in 2017 during the presidency of Jacob Zuma, which was marred by numerous scandals.
