66th INMM USA: Prof. Otoo Urges Partnerships for Africa's Peaceful Nuclear Future

The Need for Global Cooperation in Nuclear Technology Access

Prof. Francis Otoo, Acting Director General of the Ghana Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA), has emphasized the importance of developed countries taking more responsibility in sharing knowledge and reducing barriers that hinder African nations from accessing advanced nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. His remarks were made during a panel discussion at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) held in Washington, USA, from 24 to 28 August 2025.

Otoo highlighted that for many countries in Africa and the Global South, nuclear energy is not a luxury but a necessity. He stressed its critical role in addressing key challenges such as energy poverty, climate change, food insecurity, and access to healthcare. “For many of us in the Global South, Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is not a bonus; it is the very heart of the Treaty,” he said. “The credibility of the NPT depends on its ability to deliver practical cooperation on peaceful nuclear uses, alongside strong safeguards under Article III.”

Nuclear Technologies and Sustainable Development

Otoo pointed out that nuclear applications are already making a direct impact on sustainable development in Africa. Beyond electricity generation, peaceful nuclear technologies are driving advancements in cancer care, food security, clean water management, and industrial innovation. He cited initiatives like the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Rays of Hope program, which focuses on expanding cancer therapy, and Atoms for Food, which supports agriculture and nutrition. These programs demonstrate how nuclear science is transforming lives across the continent.

He called for visible progress at the 2026 NPT Review Conference to ensure that vital projects are not left unfunded. This includes expanding initiatives that promote the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Otoo also addressed concerns about regulatory capacity, noting that Africa is steadily building robust oversight systems to ensure the safe and secure deployment of nuclear technologies.

Building Regulatory Capacity in Africa

Through platforms such as the Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) and the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), African regulators are aligning with IAEA standards and preparing for new technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Ghana, for instance, has benefited from strategic support from the USA, EU, IAEA, and bilateral partners to strengthen safeguards, nuclear safety, security, and transparency.

Otoo emphasized that with sustained partnerships and peer-to-peer cooperation, the Global South is readying itself not just to use nuclear technology, but to regulate it responsibly. He also acknowledged the potential and risks of emerging technologies such as advanced reactors. Africa’s leadership as the first nuclear-weapon-free zone under the Pelindaba Treaty provides a strong foundation for peaceful nuclear expansion.

Ensuring Safety and Accessibility

Otoo argued that the 2026 Review Conference must ensure that advanced reactors remain accessible, safe, and proliferation-resistant. This requires removing barriers for newcomer states, encouraging supplier openness, and promoting more nuclear-weapon-free zones globally. He stressed that sovereignty must be respected while embedding collective safeguards.

In conclusion, Otoo called for balance in the NPT, stating that “the NPT will only remain credible if Articles III and IV move in tandem with strong safeguards matched by real cooperation on peaceful uses.” For Africa, nuclear technology is already improving health, food security, and energy access. The 2026 Review Conference must reaffirm this balance to keep the Treaty meaningful for all states.

Key Participants and the Importance of the 2026 NPT Review Conference

Prof. Otoo shared the stage with leading experts including Dr. Marco Marzo, Secretary General of the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABAAC – Brazil), Ms. Gillian Gayner, Policy Analyst at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA – Washington, USA), and Prof. Suresh Pillai, Professor of Microbiology at Texas A&M University, USA. The session was chaired by Ana Claudia Raffo Caiado, an International Safeguards & Nuclear Non-Proliferation Expert at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, USA.

The 2026 NPT Review Conference, scheduled to take place in New York, will be a decisive moment for the global nuclear order. With increasing geopolitical tensions, developing states like Ghana are urging that peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology remain at the core of the Treaty’s promise.