Russia expands nuclear footprint in Africa through Mali deal

As countries throughout Africa scramble to diversify their power sources in the face of significant energy instability, the nuclear option might be gaining ground on the continent.

Mali is now joining the list of countries seeking sustainable solutions via international partnerships. On June 23rd, the country’s transitional President, Assimi Goita, traveled to Moscow for an extended meeting with President Vladimir Putin, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.

The meeting culminated in the signing of several agreements, including one that outlined the development of a civil nuclear power program in Mali.

Mali follows Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and various other countries that have multiplied initiatives in this direction, having recognized the limitations of fossil fuel dependency for future planning. Like many of its neighbors, Mali struggles with chronic electricity shortages, which significantly dampen development efforts.

This is especially the case as, though Mali is one of Africa’s top gold producers, it currently lacks a functional and globally certified refinery.

The deal aims to lay the groundwork for technical and industrial cooperation, mainly by providing Bamako with training in the realms of science, industry, and infrastructure. While trade relations between the two are still in their nascent stages, the deal could open up new areas of collaboration.

Putin emphasized the scope for positive development, saying: “There are good areas for future cooperation: these are geological exploration, natural resource development, energy, logistics, and the humanitarian fields,” he said.

By turning to Moscow, Bamako is not only diversifying its energy options and strengthening bilateral ties, but it is also asserting the government’s agency at a time when the regime is increasingly under public scrutiny

The ruling military junta came to power via coups in 2020 and 2021. Back then, Goita made sweeping promises, claiming he would ramp up development efforts in the Western African country. However, the realities of Mali’s deeply entrenched economic and security problems have considerably sobered those ambitions, yielding rising levels of public discontent.

On June 16, Mali began construction of a new Russia-backed gold refinery, which, as Goita said, would give the Western African country greater control over its natural resources. The nuclear agreement is therefore a step further, paving the way for a strengthened partnership that could transform the country.

The deal also reflects Russia’s increasing geopolitical presence on the continent, especially through soft power influence like energy deals. Having secured nuclear partnerships with countries like Egypt, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, Mali, with its decidedly anti-Western stance, is a likely new target for Moscow.

La Nouvelle Tribune/ Maghrebi