Washington d.c.: Professor Francis Otoo, Acting Director-General of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA), has called on developed countries to share knowledge and remove barriers that prevent African nations from accessing advanced nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. Prof. Otoo made the appeal at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM).
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Otoo emphasized that for Africa and much of the Global South, nuclear energy is crucial for addressing urgent challenges such as energy poverty, climate change, food insecurity, and healthcare access. He highlighted the importance of Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), stating that its credibility rests on delivering practical cooperation on peaceful nuclear uses alongside strong safeguards under Article III.
Prof. Otoo noted that nuclear applications are already improving lives in Africa, citing their use in cancer treatment, food and agriculture, clean water management, and industry. He pointed to initiatives by the International Atomic Energy Agency, such as Rays of Hope and Atoms for Food, as examples of how nuclear science is transforming societies. He stressed the importance of the 2026 NPT Review Conference in New York to make visible progress by expanding such initiatives.
Addressing safety and regulation concerns, Prof. Otoo explained that Africa is building robust oversight systems through platforms like the Regulatory Cooperation Forum and the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa. He mentioned that Ghana has benefited from support from the United States, European Union, IAEA, and bilateral partners to strengthen nuclear safeguards, safety, security, and transparency.
Regarding advanced reactors and emerging technologies, Prof. Otoo remarked that Africa's status as the first nuclear-weapon-free zone under the Pelindaba Treaty provides a strong foundation for peaceful nuclear expansion. He urged the upcoming Review Conference to ensure that such technologies remain accessible, safe, and proliferation-resistant.
Prof. Otoo concluded by stating that the NPT's credibility depends on the balance between strong safeguards and real cooperation on peaceful uses. He emphasized that nuclear technology is already improving health, food security, and energy access in Africa, and the 2026 Review Conference must reaffirm this balance to maintain the Treaty's relevance for all States.
The INMM annual meeting assembled experts, regulators, policymakers, and academics to discuss international safeguards, non-proliferation, and peaceful nuclear applications.
