Egypt has cemented its position as Russia’s leading partner in Africa’s nuclear energy sector, with the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant emerging as the flagship of bilateral cooperation. The $28.75 billion project, set to deliver 4.8 GW of power, will become the continent’s largest atomic energy facility once completed, the Financial Times reported.
Moscow is financing the bulk of the project through a $25 billion loan covering 85% of costs, offered at a 3% interest rate and repayable over 22 years. Egypt will contribute the remaining share, marking one of its most significant infrastructure undertakings in decades, as detailed by Arab Finance.
In July 2025, both sides signed an annex and protocol to accelerate construction, procurement, and operation phases. Russia’s state-owned Rosatom will implement advanced safety measures aligned with IAEA standards, while a new training center at El Dabaa is expected to prepare around 20,000 specialists, World Nuclear News highlighted.
Beyond Egypt, Russia is extending its nuclear partnerships in Africa, with agreements underway in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Algeria. Still, Egypt remains the centerpiece of Moscow’s African strategy, showing how nuclear power has become a cornerstone of Russia’s economic and geopolitical influence across the continent, as the FT underscored.
