Wilton Park, in collaboration with the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), United States Department of Energy (DoE), and Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), convened nuclear regulatory bodies, civil society organisations, and communicators in Nairobi, Kenya, from February 18th to 20th 2025, to facilitate knowledge exchange, create informed communicators, and strengthen the role of the regulator in supporting informed communications on civil nuclear power across Africa.
Nuclear power can provide clean, reliable electricity that can drive economic growth and industrial development. With the potential of lower upfront costs and greater deployment flexibility, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are attractive to emerging nuclear countries as a scalable energy solution. As African countries explore the adoption of nuclear power, regulators will play a crucial role, not only in their regulatory and oversight role regarding the safety of nuclear power plants, but also in fostering public trust through active engagement and clear communications.
Independence of the regulator, transparent communication, education, and public outreach are critical in reassuring communities and stakeholders that nuclear power can be operated and maintained safely, with stringent oversight to protect public health and the environment. To build and maintain trust it is essential that key institutions – government, regulators, and operators – are open, transparent, and competent.
Political commitment to nuclear power is necessary to ensure that regulators receive adequate funding, particularly for public engagement efforts. A well-resourced regulator with sufficient human and financial capacity can effectively execute its mandate and engage meaningfully with stakeholders.
Civil society organisations can support regulators by amplifying key messages, foster public trust, and ensure that accurate information reaches a diverse set of audiences. By collaborating with regulators, civil society organisations can help address concerns and promote informed dialogue on the benefits and risks of nuclear power. Regulators should empower civil society groups by providing factual, up-to-date information and engage them regularly to address concerns and counter misinformation.
Effective public engagement requires making nuclear power more relatable to communities. It is essential that communications are accessible, culturally relevant, and framed in ways that resonate with local audiences. This includes using local languages, simplifying technical information, and balancing facts with storytelling to enhance understanding. Social media offers new opportunities to reach a wider audience and foster dialogue on nuclear power. Efforts to improve inclusivity within the sector should prioritise the participation of women and young people.
The value of ongoing collaboration between the Global North and Global South was acknowledged. As African nations progress in implementing their nuclear power transitions, they can greatly benefit from the experience of Global North countries with long-established nuclear power programmes. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and partners such as FCDO and DoE were encouraged to continue supporting initiatives that enhance the capacity of regulators to foster conducive nuclear ecosystems and empower stakeholders to effectively promote nuclear power through effective communication.