Namibia and Russia are advancing discussions to fast track an intergovernmental agreement focused on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as both countries seek to deepen strategic and economic ties. Talks between Namibian officials and representatives of Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom have centred on formalizing collaboration frameworks covering uranium resources, nuclear technology and related capacity building, according to Business Insider Africa.
The renewed engagement builds on Namibia’s position as one of the world’s major uranium producers and Russia’s interest in expanding civilian nuclear partnerships across Africa. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said cooperation on uranium deposits and broader energy projects featured prominently in bilateral discussions, describing natural resources as a key pillar of the relationship, as reported by TASS.
For Namibia, the proposed agreement aligns with efforts to diversify its energy mix, strengthen value addition in the mining sector and develop technical expertise while remaining within international non proliferation standards. Industry analysts say areas under consideration include nuclear safety, regulatory development, skills transfer and potential downstream processing, with Rosatom expected to provide technical support and advisory services, according to Business Insider Africa.
Russia has pursued similar peaceful nuclear cooperation agreements with several African countries in recent years, reflecting a broader strategy to expand its civilian nuclear footprint on the continent. Observers note that Namibia’s stable regulatory environment and established uranium industry could position it as a key partner as negotiations move toward formal implementation.
