Numerous African countries could benefit from nuclear power, given rising rates of economic development, population growth, and consumer electricity demand. In light of these needs, China and Russia have expanded cooperation in the development of civilian nuclear energy on the African continent over the last two decades. This report draws on original quantitative data tracking trends in Chinese and Russian nuclear diplomacy activities in Africa between 2000 and 2021. We find diverging trends in these two countries’ nuclear diplomacy: China engages in a higher number of nuclear outreach activities overall, but they tend to be at lower levels of development. By contrast, Russia engages in fewer activities, but they tend to be at higher, more sophisticated levels of development. We conclude with recommendations for U.S. policy: As Chinese and Russian influence expands on the African continent through nuclear diplomacy, the United States has—thus far—chosen to take the back seat. It may be missing opportunities to influence and build support among African leaders, who want to encourage their countries’ economic development by pursuing civilian nuclear energy programs under IAEA safeguards.
