On the margins of the First Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference, the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) organised an event to inform how AFCONE is cooperating with the EU and Finland to strengthen nuclear material control systems in Africa. The event attracted wide audience, including representatives of African countries as well as civil society.

Six high-level panellists praised the ambitious five-year programme (2023-27), implemented by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) on uplifting nuclear safeguards in Africa. The programme is co‑financed by the EU with a grant of EUR 4.4 million and by Finland with a grant of EUR 500,000, a concrete example of “Team Europe” in action.

At the outset, Mr Enobot Agboraw, Executive Secretary of AFCONE, described how AFCONE can support African States in the effective implementation of IAEA safeguards which are necessary to benefit from international cooperation and the civil applications of nuclear energy. He stressed the importance of capacity building and regional cooperation to help countries meet their non-proliferation obligations, and thanked the EU and the Government of Finland for their support.

H.E. Pirkko Hämäläinen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Finland, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to cooperation with African countries on safe and secure use of nuclear energy. On a similar vein, H.E. Rapulane Molekane, Ambassador of South Africa, recalled the role of nuclear technology and its applications in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Director Miharu Kiryu, IAEA Department of Safeguards, informed the audience of the ongoing efforts to encourage all States to conclude a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and an Additional Protocol with the IAEA and to modify or rescind their Small Quantities Protocols, where appropriate.

Ms. Anne Kemppainen, Head of the UN Section at the EU Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna, highlighted the benefits of the EU-Africa partnership and the EU’s capacity building activities, which contribute to more efficient and effective nuclear safeguards across the African continent.

Director General Petteri Tiippana of STUK recalled that Finland was the first country to bring a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement into force, over 50 years ago. STUK is thus well placed to provide training and expert support to AFCONE and African regulatory authorities on nuclear material accounting and control.

The side event was moderated by Mr. Van Zyl de Villiers, consultant on nuclear energy and safeguards, and former Director in the IAEA Safeguards Department.

Background

The African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) is the autonomous Pan-African organization that is uniquely mandated under the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty (The Treaty of Pelindaba) to serve as the Secretariat of the Treaty, and to engender industrial and socio-economic development in Africa through the coordination and promotion of safe and secure peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, as well as regional and inter-regional cooperation for that purpose. The AFCONE fosters peace and security in Africa, and globally, through overseeing the full and effective implementation of the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament provisions of the Treaty of Pelindaba. The Headquarters of AFCONE is in Pretoria, South Africa, and is headed by an Executive Secretary.

As Africa’s leading partner, the EU has launched with AFCONE a new partnership (2023-27), which supports the capacities of African States to adhere to non-proliferation obligations and safeguards agreements with the IAEA. This action will help create or strengthen State Systems of Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Material and establish a pool of skilled and empowered experts to do the job. The programme is implemented by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK).

The IAEA safeguards system is a fundamental part of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. Nuclear safeguards are the key prerequisite for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Currently, 47 African States have signed a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the IAEA. Concluding a CSA is a legal requirement under the NPT and the Pelindaba Treaty.