AFCONE Chairperson H.E. Gaspard Liyoko MBOYO accompanied by Acting Executive Secretary H.E. Ahmed Bezeid Deida hosted by University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson in company of Prof Leonidah Kerubo, on 27/11/2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
In a major step forward on the road towards building skilled workforce in Africa nuclear landscape, African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) and University of Nairobi (UoN) have established a strategic partnership to enhance training and skills development in nuclear science and technology.
The AFCONE Chairperson H.E. Gaspard Liyoko MBOYO in company of Acting Executive Secretary H.E. Ahmed Bezeid Deida signed a Memorandum of Understanding to guide the framework of collaboration.
The University of Nairobi was represented by Vice Chancellor Prof Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson in company of Prof Leonidah Kerubo.
The MoU establishes a collaborative framework through which AFCONE and UoN partnership will deliver a high-impact education, training, and skills development programmes for the Africa region.
Many African nations lack the necessary expertise for designing, building, and operating nuclear facilities, including nuclear power plants. Besides a shortage of human capital, there are also significant infrastructural deficiencies, such as inadequate electricity grids, safety measures, security requirement and transport infrastructure, which are crucial for the safe operation of nuclear technology.
The MoU will be used to address Africa’s limited skills in nuclear science and technology by creating strategic programs for education, training, and skills development. The collaborations will focus on joint planning, development of specialized training programs, strengthening of academic ties, and fostering a pipeline of nuclear professionals to support the sector’s growth in Africa.
AFCONE Chairperson H.E. Gaspard Liyoko MBOYO on the right and University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof Hutchinson pose for a photograph on 27/11/2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
“Partnership with institutions such University of Nairobi are of utmost importance in Africa in enhancing its skills development. The framework will enable AFCONE define and meet evolving skills needs of the Africa Continenet”, said H.E. Liyoko MBOYO.
“This MoU enables us to better define and meet the evolving skills needs of the nuclear sector. This will increase Africa industrial capacity to support strategic infrastructure and nuclear energy goals” he further added Mr. Liyoko Mboyo.
Prof Hutchinson affirmed that the visit by AFCONE to the University of Nairobi signifies a new beginning. “This is a fundamental framework to sustain technical cooperation, in order to build capacity for the Africa region, so it can better address its own challenges and capitalize on opportunities”.
AFCONE and University of Nairobi delegation in a participate in a technical discussion on 11/2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nuclear energy are increasing in Africa due to a combination of rising energy demands, the need for cleaner energy sources, and the potential for economic development. Nuclear technology is extensively used across Africa in various sectors, most notably in human health, agriculture, water, environment, industry, research among others.
Human resource development (HRD) in nuclear science and technology is essential and critical pillar for realizing Africa’s nuclear vision, which includes applications in energy, healthcare, agriculture, and industry. Without a sufficient and skilled workforce, African countries face significant challenges in building and safely operating a sustainable nuclear industry.