Zimbabwe partners with Russia to boost energy with nuclear plan

Zimbabwe, which is grappling with a shortage of electricity, has decided to cooperate with Russia in the construction of small nuclear reactors. This announcement was made by Edgar Moyo, Zimbabwe's Minister of Energy and Power Development. The country aims to increase energy production to 4,000 megawatts by 2035, an improvement compared to the current 2,600 megawatts.

Joseph Siegle, Director of Research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, has expressed concerns about the financial and security implications of this venture. He noted that Zimbabwe has favourable 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 about the risk of corruption associated with such large projects.

Russia has already signed agreements to build nuclear power plants with Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Burkina Faso. Mali is still in negotiations, and Kenya has not yet made a decision about the choice of contractor. Rwanda has opted out of the Russian offer, selecting the Canadian-German company Dual Fluid Energy instead. At present, the only African country producing nuclear energy is South Africa, where the Koeberg power station, built by France, is already 40 years old. Its expansion has been entrusted to Russia's Rosatom.

By supporting poorer African countries, Russia aims to make them dependent on it for many years, thereby extending its influence on the continent and potentially weakening the sanctions imposed by the West due to the invasion of Ukraine.