Hubert K. Foy is Director and Senior Research Scientist at the African Center for Science and International Security (AFRICSIS) in Accra, Ghana. As a leading voice on nuclear policy and security in Africa, he recently shared his insights with African Business Magazine on Ghana’s growing interest in nuclear energy and recent international developments shaping its trajectory.
Ghana is moving steadily toward becoming the first West African country to deploy nuclear power. In a major step forward, a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently completed an eight-day safety review of the country’s site selection process for its first nuclear power plant. This review, part of the IAEA’s Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED), marked the first mission of its kind to Ghana and reflects the country’s progress in aligning with international safety protocols.
The mission took place from 14 to 21 February and focused on evaluating how closely Ghana’s site selection process adhered to IAEA guidance. The outcome confirmed that Ghana had successfully completed the selection phase, having identified both a preferred and an alternative site for the plant. With this milestone reached, the next critical step will be site characterization—an in-depth evaluation to assess the chosen locations in terms of environmental, geological, and safety parameters.
Ghana’s push for nuclear energy is driven by the need to boost low-carbon electricity generation, meet rising energy demand, and strengthen energy security through diversification. As the country continues this journey, attention is now turning to how quickly it can transition from planning to construction.
In this exclusive interview, Foy discusses the significance of the IAEA’s recent endorsement, highlights the key actions Ghana must take before breaking ground, and offers a realistic outlook on the timeline for nuclear integration into the national grid. He also addresses broader challenges facing the global nuclear sector, particularly in scaling deployment to support climate goals.
Q. How critical was the IAEA’s endorsement for Ghana’s site?
A. Ghana’s nuclear energy ambitions took a major step forward with the recent IAEA SEED mission, which assessed and validated the country’s site selection process for its first nuclear power plant. The IAEA’s endorsement not only confirms that Ghana is on the right track but also strengthens confidence in its nuclear infrastructure, paving the way for the next phase of development.
One of the biggest takeaways from the mission was the IAEA’s confirmation that Ghana followed international safety standards. This reassures key players—regulators, investors, and policymakers—that the site selection was rigorous and aligned with global best practices. It also minimizes concerns about potential environmental and geological risks, reinforcing the project’s credibility.
Another critical aspect was the IAEA’s recommendations for further risk mitigation. By proactively addressing site-specific hazards like earthquakes, flooding, and extreme weather, Ghana can prevent costly setbacks down the line. These early interventions strengthen regulatory preparedness and ensure the country meets international nuclear safety benchmarks.
Beyond technical validation, the IAEA’s involvement boosts Ghana’s visibility on the global nuclear stage. This endorsement signals a serious commitment to nuclear safety and transparency, making Ghana a more attractive partner for international collaborations, foreign investment, and technical support. Continued IAEA engagement will be key as the country moves toward site approval and licensing.
With this endorsement, Ghana is well-positioned to advance its nuclear power plans. Staying aligned with IAEA recommendations and global standards will not only ensure project success but also establish Ghana as a regional leader in sustainable nuclear energy.
Q. What must Ghana do before building its first nuclear plant?
A. Before Ghana can break ground on its first nuclear power plant, three major hurdles remain: regulatory approval, financing, and infrastructure readiness. First, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) must sign off on the construction license. This requires completing detailed environmental and seismic assessments to confirm the site’s safety and long-term viability.
Second, securing billions in funding is essential. Ghana must lock in financing from international lenders, attract private investment, and put a solid cost-recovery plan in place to avoid financial roadblocks. Lastly, infrastructure must be ready to support both construction and future operations. That means upgrading the national power grid, strengthening emergency response systems, and setting up reliable supply chains for fuel and waste management. The IAEA’s approval of Ghana’s site selection was a big step forward, but turning plans into reality will depend on tackling these challenges head-on.
Q. When can Ghana realistically add nuclear to its power mix?
A. Ghana’s journey to nuclear power depends on three critical elements: expanding the electricity grid, securing regulatory approvals and financing, and managing construction timelines. First, grid capacity must grow. The IAEA advises that no single reactor should exceed 10% of a country’s total power supply, meaning Ghana needs to increase capacity from 5.5 GW to at least 7–8 GW before safely integrating a 1,000+ MW reactor. A smaller modular reactor (SMR) of 300–600 MW might be a more practical first step while grid expansion continues.
Second, approvals and financing must be locked in. Ghana is still in Phase 2 of the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, and before moving forward, it must finalize vendor selection, secure funding, and obtain necessary licenses—all ideally by 2026. Without these, construction remains stalled.
Finally, the build time will dictate the rollout. A large-scale reactor wouldn’t be operational before 2035, given the 7–10-year construction period. However, an SMR could be ready as early as 2031–2033, taking just 4–6 years to complete. The choice between these two reactor types will shape Ghana’s nuclear future—balancing cost, energy security, and long-term sustainability. If all goes as planned, the first concrete pour could happen by 2027–2028, but progress will depend on regulatory efficiency, financing, and the pace of grid upgrades.
Q: How do you view the current role of nuclear energy in addressing climate change, and what’s holding back its wider deployment?
A: Nuclear is definitely one of the essential tools we have to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But the reality is, we still don’t have a clear mechanism to scale up the deployment of nuclear power reactors in a way that meaningfully addresses the climate crisis. Within the nuclear community, there’s a lot of discussion and a number of solid technical solutions—but I don’t see the concrete steps needed to move things forward. The IAEA is doing important work in this space, but industry needs to be more engaged. We need to wake it up, so to speak.
Some progress is happening. A few countries have launched small construction programmes, and several newcomer states are offering encouraging examples. But when you step back and look at the global landscape, there’s no broad-based nuclear push at the moment. Right now, about 60 reactors are under construction worldwide, with more than half of those in China.
Rosatom is building four units in Russia, and also leading projects in Turkiye, Bangladesh, and Egypt. India is constructing seven reactors. These are positive developments, but beyond that, not much is happening. That could change—but it hinges on strong government backing and a long-term commitment to nuclear energy. Without that, we won’t see the scale of progress that the climate challenge demands.
