Nuclear science and technology is promoting development endeavors in various countries. It helps developing countries to reduce poverty and hunger, to generate clean energy, to manage water resources, to cope with climate change and to treat diseases like cancer. Considering the role of nuclear science and technology in development activities especially in accelerating development efforts of developing countries, African countries are introducing the applications of nuclear science and technology in various fields to promote their economic developments.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Chief Executive Chairman of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission and AFRA National Coordinator for Nigeria, Professor Amin Ahmed stated that the introduction of nuclear science and technology will promote the development of various fields. As to him, nuclear applications are critically important for the development of agriculture, human health, water resource management, industry, environmental protection and other fields that are backbones of the Africa’s economic development endeavors.
As to him, considering the role of nuclear science and technology for economic development of the continent, the Africa Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) is striving for the development of nuclear science and technology in the continent. The Ethiopian Herald met Professor Amin in Addis Ababa while he was attending the 35th AFRA Technical Working Group Meeting.
According to Professor Amin, nuclear science and technology is crucial for the development of agriculture and the health sectors especially for the developing countries struggling for the development of the sectors. For example, post-harvest loss of agricultural products is among the major issues across Africa. As to Professor Amin, by utilizing nuclear technology radiation facilities, it could be possible to contend the post-harvest loss of agricultural products. “AFRA realized that through utilizing nuclear technology, Africa can increase the shelf life of its agricultural products,” he noted.
Similarly, Professor Amin stated, nuclear science and technology is crucial in the medical field. The application of nuclear technology in the medical field is vital for radio therapy and radio diagnoses in the health sector. Hence, as to him, nuclear science and technology has managed to fight cancer and other diseases in the field of health. For the development of these sectors, AFRA has many regional projects working closely with all member states.
“We are working very well at AFRA through the AFRA Fund to support regional nuclear science and technology projects and applications in various fields. All member states within AFRA have functional regional projects and the AFRA will continue its efforts for the development of nuclear science and technology applications for peaceful economic development in Africa” Professor Amin stated.
While opening the 35th AFRA Technical Working Group Meeting on Tuesday, Belete Molla (PhD), Minister of Innovation and Technology (MInT) of Ethiopia for his part stated that Ethiopia is working closely with AFRA for the development of nuclear science and technology for development endeavors in Africa. In addition using the nuclear science and technology applications in various fields, as to the minister, Ethiopia is taking practical measures to establish nuclear science and technology center to produce electricity from nuclear energy.
According to Belete, Ethiopia is exploring the potential of nuclear power for electricity generation and will establish an institute to sustainably manage the sector. “We are investing in research and development, constructing the necessary infrastructure and developing policies and programs to support innovative business and entrepreneurs in all sectors. The Ministry of Innovation and Technology is hence dedicated to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy in creating robust and sustainable nuclear program,” the minister stated.
Belete stated nuclear science and technology is important for the development of key economic sectors in developing countries. Using nuclear science and technology, as to him, is important in food security, agriculture, human health, water resource management, environment, industry and more recently in research. The Minister further stated that Ethiopia is one of the founding states of AFRA and has become a party to AFRA since its establishment in 1990. The AFRA is helping member states to elevating the technical collaborations among state parties and with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and also in funding projects in the sector.
Ethiopia will continue strengthening its cooperation with AFRA and member states for the development of nuclear science and technology for peaceful development in Africa, Belete stated adding Ethiopia will take the chairmanship of the AFRA next year.
The Ethiopian Herald posed a question for Professor Amin on the necessity of using nuclear science and technology to produce energy. As to him, Nuclear Science and Technology has many applications and energy is among the applications. Nuclear science is one of clean energy sources and he promotes the development of nuclear technology for energy production in developing countries.
“Nuclear technology can provide clean and sustainable energy using nuclear power plant. African countries have shown interests in using nuclear energy for electricity” Professor Amin noted. He appreciates the development and use of nuclear energy to produce electricity as it helps countries to produce clean and sustainable energy. In this regard, he recommends African countries to cooperate with international partners to be able to develop the capacity of nuclear power plants in Africa.
As to him, all other energy sources of energy will prove expensive in the long run, except nuclear and hydro power energies. Though hydropower is ideal to produce energy as it uses water to generate electricity which is also comparably cheap, it needs availability of water bodies. But, it is not all African countries that have water bodies. Hence, to produce sustainable clean energy source, it is important to consider nuclear energy. “Electricity from nuclear energy runs for more than eighty years which makes the source among clean energy sources that can provide services for long years.”
AFRA National Coordinator for Ethiopia, Abeba Getu, for her part stated that AFRA is working for the development of nuclear science and technology for development endeavors in Africa mainly in health, agriculture, industry, research and other areas where nuclear radiation and application is necessary. As to her, AFRA provides financial and technical supports for its member states for the development of using nuclear science and technology in the development fields across the member states and various regional projects are being implemented by AFRA.
As to her, Ethiopia has around 29 regional projects working with AFRA. For the realization of these projects, AFRA provides financial support, equipment supply, training for human resource development and other technical supports for its member states. AFRA helps in building laboratory facilities in health centers and higher education institutions and provide trainings for human resource development in the nuclear science and technology sector including long term trainings. It also introduces new applications and technologies for the member states to accelerate the development efforts of the countries.
By strengthening the cooperation among the member states of AFRA and strengthening the bond with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the African continent have to exploit the development potential of the nuclear science and technology industry. In addition, the continent has to focus on human resource development and promoting local efforts in the sector so as to realize and develop the contribution of the sector in the continent’s development endeavors.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 28 JUNE 2024
