Lom©: Civil nuclear energy is the reliable energy base that Africa needs to industrialize and feed its population, argued scientist and former Burkinabe Prime Minister Lassina Zerbo, while recognizing the contribution of renewable energies.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Zerbo emphasized the potential of integrating small modular reactors (SMRs) to power essential systems like irrigation, desalination plants, cold chains, and local processing units, thereby bolstering food security. "SMRs, as these small modular reactors are called, are no longer just a technological option, but a structuring lever for development," he assured during his speech at the first Development Days of the West African Development Bank (BOAD) in Lom©.
Zerbo, who currently presides over the Rwanda Atomic Energy Commission, clarified his stance on nuclear power, stating that it complements rather than competes with renewable energies. He highlighted the limitations of renewables due to their intermittency, which currently hinders Africa's industrialization goals. As the former executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in Vienna, he elaborated on the benefits of SMRs, which have specific uses ranging from military bases to rural communities, and can operate continuously for up to 20 years without refueling.
The lifting of the World Bank's ban on financing civil nuclear power in Africa, following BOAD's example, was welcomed by Zerbo as a significant step forward. He advocated for alternative financing models, drawing inspiration from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Argentina, which have successfully utilized public-private partnerships.
Zerbo proposed innovative strategies, such as tokenizing strategic reserves through blockchain platforms, to attract new capital. He suggested that African countries, like Niger, could develop a uranium token backed by certified physical reserves. This approach would not only attract international investment but also ensure transparency and promote the resource in a civilian, secure, and traceable framework.
The BOAD Development Days serve as a platform for experts, decision-makers, and investors to explore innovative financing solutions and enhance private sector involvement in agriculture and energy sectors.