NTI’s African Nuclear Security Dialogue Advances Regional Cooperation

As interest in nuclear energy grows across Africa, leaders stand to face consequential decisions with regional and global implications for nuclear security. The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), in partnership with the African Commission on Nuclear Energy and with support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Peterson Foundation, brought together government officials, regulators, and nuclear security experts for the first-ever African Nuclear Security Dialogue from March 3-5, 2026, in Franschhoek, South Africa.

During the three-day workshop, policymakers and practitioners from over a dozen countries exchanged experience, assessed emerging risks, and explored practical opportunities to strengthen nuclear security cooperation and implementation across Africa. Participants examined how countries and regional institutions can work together to ensure that nuclear security considerations remain central as states pursue nuclear technologies for energy, medicine, agriculture, and other peaceful uses.

Discussions focused on strengthening the global nuclear security architecture and identifying specific actions African states can take to further reinforce regional nuclear security. Participants discussed the importance of universalizing and implementing the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, enhancing nuclear security culture, and strengthening coordination among national authorities and regional organizations.

Throughout the workshop, participants emphasized the value of regional cooperation and information sharing to address evolving security challenges. Sessions highlighted lessons learned from national experiences, explored opportunities for capacity building, and examined how African states can contribute to global efforts to strengthen nuclear security governance and implementation.

The African Nuclear Security Dialogue is part of NTI’s Global Dialogue on Nuclear Security Priorities, an initiative that brings together international experts and officials to identify practical actions to strengthen nuclear security and ensure the resilience of the global nuclear security architecture.