Capacity building to strengthen nuclear security in the safety, operation and utilization of research reactors in Africa

Abstract

Research reactors are indispensable for developing countries to benefit from the many quiet applications of nuclear science and technology, particularly in health services, food security, water resources, education and training and the development of nuclear technology. However, only eleven of the world's 220 operational research reactors are operational on the African continent. This means that only 3% of the world's nuclear research reactor capacity has access to 17.2% of the world's population in Africa. In this regard, there is a major gap in the nuclear power sector in Africa that needs to be filled for the economic development of developing countries, including the advent of micro and small modular reactors. Since research reactors encompass a wide range of facilities that involve different aspects and security considerations compared to other facilities in the nuclear industry, the nuclear security culture for personnel who work or are expected to work in nuclear reactors is essential for compliance with nuclear safety requirements. In this context, capacity building in the areas of security, operation and use of research reactors is important in order to strengthen the nuclear safety of this installation in developing countries. This paper addresses the need for human resource capacity building in Africa, particularly in Tanzania.