By: Mabel Adorkor Annang
Across Africa, the push for clean and reliable energy is creating new opportunities for women to play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s nuclear future.
As discussions around the deployment of Small Modular Reactors, SMRs intensify, experts say women’s involvement in capacity building is essential to ensuring inclusive growth, safety, and sustainability in the nuclear energy sector.
During a Panel discussion at the Women In Nuclear Global, WIN Global forum at the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA in Vienna, the Ag. Head of legal affairs with the Ghana Atomic Energy Agency, GAEC Susana Nyarkoa Addo said gender balance is not only a matter of equity but also of efficiency.
She highlighted some measures being put in place by Ghana to ensure that women are not left behind as the country heads towards adding Nuclear power to its energy mix.
”The first step Ghana has taken as a country is an integrated scholarship and training scheme whereby we encourage women to access IAEA sponsored scholarships and training to equip them in their capacity building and also to enable them acquire knowledge in the area of science and technology especially in nuclear fields. We also employ training and consciously build their capacity through outreaches and schools specialized for the training of women and young ladies in the field of science and technology”. She added.
A Nuclear Safety Engineer with WIN SA Amanda Mbhele said beyond technical expertise, women’s leadership in community engagement will be vital in addressing public concerns and building trust around nuclear projects.
”It does not have to be a hassle for young people to get jobs and come into the nuclear energy space and get into projects. We have to be intentional about it. We have to use other organizations that are not particularly nuclear organizations and does not only attract people in the nuclear system. We need to look at how to attract and sustain the young generation in schools, universities and make sure the exposure is effective for them and not for tick boxing”, she emphasized.
SMRs compact nuclear power plants designed for flexibility, affordability, and enhanced safety are increasingly viewed as a viable solution to Africa’s persistent energy deficits.
However, their deployment requires specialized knowledge and a skilled workforce.
Women, who have often been underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM fields are now being actively encouraged to contribute to nuclear development and policy formulation.
Capacity-building initiatives led by international bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA alongside African universities and research centers, are increasingly targeting women.
Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria are among the countries already investing in nuclear workforce development, with women researchers playing active roles in feasibility studies and public communication strategies.
