In a significant step toward expanding access to clean energy, Kenya has hosted the first-ever Small Modular Reactor (SMR) School in Africa, organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from May 5 to 9, 2025. Held in Nairobi in collaboration with the Kenyan government, the program brought together 28 participants from six African nations Kenya, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia to explore the future of compact, next-generation nuclear power.
The initiative marks the IAEA’s latest move in scaling up global awareness and preparedness for deploying SMRs, a new class of nuclear reactors designed to be safer, smaller, and more adaptable than traditional large-scale plants. With a capacity of less than 300 megawatts per unit, SMRs can be prefabricated and assembled on-site, making them well-suited for remote or developing regions.
Kenya’s Nuclear Vision
Opening the school, Serah Esendi, Acting CEO of Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), emphasized SMRs as critical to bridging Kenya’s energy access gaps, powering industrial growth, and supporting the country’s renewable energy goals. She highlighted the school as a key step in building the technical knowledge and leadership capacity necessary for responsible nuclear deployment.
Nuclear Momentum in Africa
Across Africa, momentum for nuclear energy is accelerating. Egypt is building its first full-scale nuclear power plant, and South Africa, home to the continent’s only current nuclear facility, is planning a major expansion. Meanwhile, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia are exploring SMRs to complement their future energy mix.
Participants in the Nairobi school received hands-on training on a wide range of topics—from SMR design and demonstration to legal frameworks, public engagement, and nuclear safety.
Rasheed Adeola Ogunola of Nigeria’s Atomic Energy Commission called the experience invaluable: “The presentations and shared expertise will directly inform our next steps as we move forward in our national nuclear journey.”
Global Reach of SMR Training
Following Nairobi’s success, the IAEA confirmed two more SMR Schools this year:
Asia: July 21–25 in Bangkok, Thailand
Latin America: August 25–29 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Each school will focus on regional collaboration and knowledge exchange, engaging countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Peru in developing nuclear capabilities.
IAEA’s Broader SMR Support Framework
The IAEA is backing these training efforts with a suite of support tools:
SMR Platform: Offers data, expert connections, and technical assistance.
NHSI and SMR Regulators’ Forum: Streamlines global licensing and safety practices.
Milestones Approach and INIR Missions: Guide newcomer countries through the nuclear readiness process.
These programs are funded through a mix of regular budgets, technical cooperation funds, and contributions from member states.
A Vision for Clean, Equitable Power
According to Dohee Hahn, Coordinator of the IAEA SMR Platform, the school addresses a key global need: “The IAEA SMR School helps countries understand the many layers of SMR development, from infrastructure to regulation, while fostering cooperation.”
With this launch in Kenya, the IAEA is reinforcing its commitment to safe, equitable nuclear energy, supporting both climate goals and sustainable development for emerging economies.