South Africa has expressed on February 17 openness to bids from Russia or Iran to help expand its civilian nuclear capacity, according to Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe.
The country, which operates Africa’s only nuclear power plant, Koeberg, is seeking to add 2,500 megawatts of new capacity to address ongoing electricity shortages and reduce carbon emissions. Mantashe stressed that no country, including Russia or Iran, should be excluded from bidding if they offer the best proposal, regardless of political implications.
This stance has raised concerns among analysts, as it could strain relations with the United States, which has been negotiating a crucial nuclear agreement with South Africa. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, which halts aid to South Africa, accused the country of rekindling nuclear ties with Iran and potentially developing military and nuclear cooperation, though no evidence was provided. However, South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, have denied any bilateral nuclear cooperation with Iran, further complicating diplomatic relations.
South Africa’s nuclear expansion plans have been delayed due to legal challenges and consultation processes, including opposition from the Democratic Alliance party. A strategic energy pact between Pretoria and Washington, which would facilitate the export of U.S.-made nuclear equipment, has been stalled, with the previous agreement expiring in December 2022. While technical negotiations for a new deal are complete, legal hurdles on both sides have prevented finalisation, with experts noting that the current tensions could hinder progress.