CAPE TOWN, Feb 17 – South Africa is open to bids from Russia and Iran for its nuclear power expansion, a government minister said, a decision that could strain ties with the United States and stall negotiations on a key energy agreement.
The country, which operates Africa’s only nuclear power station, Koeberg, plans to add 2,500 megawatts to address persistent power shortages. Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe told Reuters that no country would be excluded from the bidding process.
“We cannot exclude any country, whether it’s Iran, Russia, or anyone else,” Mantashe said. “If they present the best offer, we will consider it.”
The announcement follows increased scrutiny from Washington after former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting aid to South Africa. The order accused the country of deepening ties with Iran on nuclear, military, and commercial matters, claims that Pretoria denies. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office stated that South Africa has no nuclear cooperation with Iran.
The U.S. State Department has not commented on the possible involvement of Russia or Iran in South Africa’s nuclear plans or whether Trump’s order will affect ongoing negotiations.
A planned nuclear tender, initially scheduled for last year, has been delayed due to legal challenges led by the Democratic Alliance, now part of the coalition government. The delays have also stalled efforts to finalize a new civilian nuclear pact with the U.S., known as the Section 123 Agreement, which is required for the export of American nuclear technology and fuel.
The previous agreement, signed in 1997, expired in December 2022. While technical negotiations for a new deal have been completed, legal processes on both sides remain unresolved.
Isabel Bosman, a nuclear energy researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs, said allegations in Trump’s order could make renewing the agreement more difficult.
Zizamele Mbambo, a senior official in South Africa’s energy ministry, said both sides are still working toward a deal.
