Today, over 30 ‘newcomer’ countries are considering introducing nuclear power to mitigate climate change while strengthening energy security and bolstering economic development. One of the key challenges they face is the necessity to build a qualified workforce of nuclear professionals. For more than a decade, the IAEA has been providing capacity building to help newcomers meet this crucial need, including today through two interregional projects.
Representatives of 12 countries that have benefited from this IAEA support took part in a comprehensive review of 12 years’ worth of these projects’ activities, finances and impact at the IAEA Annual Donors’ Meeting in September 2024. The aim of this review process was to inform activities proposed for 2025 and to enhance collaboration.
Challenges in implementing nuclear programmes were also discussed. In Nigeria, for example, some of the main challenges to developing nuclear power infrastructure include the identification of appropriate funding and financing mechanisms, and the development of a national nuclear power procurement strategy and a supply chain for nuclear power components for lifecycle management, according to Abdullahi Mati, Director of Nuclear Power Plant Development at the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.
Over the last 12 years, the IAEA has provided vital support to more than 60 countries for nuclear power programme infrastructure development and management. Host countries have coordinated 349 activities, including 140 training courses, 80 workshops and 62 scientific visits and fellowships to build capacity and strengthen nuclear power infrastructure development. As of December 2024, 4,538 industry professionals have shared their experiences and expanded their knowledge of how to address common needs and challenges in developing nuclear power infrastructure.
