By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Accra, 22 August 2026 Djibouti and the United States have taken a step toward cooperation on civilian nuclear energy, with discussions focused on electricity generation and seawater desalination.
Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jama Mohamed Hassan, met Thursday with a delegation from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy led by Mike Goff.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the U.S.-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Accra, which ran from Aug. 19 to 21.
The talks focused on technology transfer, technical expertise and workforce training, including the potential use of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that can be adapted to a country’s energy needs.
Djibouti also discussed U.S. support for developing a legal and institutional framework for civilian nuclear energy in line with international standards.
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Jama said Djibouti wants to explore civilian nuclear energy to generate low-carbon electricity and support seawater desalination.
The Ministry of Energy said nuclear technology could help strengthen energy security, diversify electricity sources and support industrial development.
Goff presented some of the latest civilian nuclear technologies and outlined an approach for assessing Djibouti’s energy needs to develop a roadmap for feasibility of nuclear projects.
Both sides emphasized nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation, while reaffirming commitment to international agreements and standards, including those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The two sides agreed to continue technical and political consultations as Djibouti seeks to strengthen its civilian nuclear capabilities by 2035 as part of efforts to support its energy transition and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.