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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has emphasised the need for a strong national regulatory authority and effective radiation safety systems as Zambia advances plans to develop its nuclear energy programme.
Acting Director of the IAEA Division for Africa, Gashaw Wolde, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Zambia through national and regional cooperation projects, including assistance with energy planning, infrastructure development and technical capacity building.
Wolde was speaking in Lusaka on Monday when he and IAEA Project Management Officer Amal Elrefaei paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Technology and Science to review existing cooperation and discuss areas for further collaboration.
The discussions covered cancer care and radiation medicine, nuclear energy development, equipment provision, technical training, regulatory capacity and participation in regional cooperation initiatives.
“Zambia has been and continues to be a longstanding partner in cooperation across health, science and technology,” Wolde said.
He acknowledged Zambia’s efforts to expand radiation medicine services through the refurbishment and expansion of facilities and the acquisition of equipment to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Wolde also commended the country’s progress in establishing the foundations for its nuclear energy programme, citing adherence to relevant international instruments, the development of safety infrastructure and efforts to build technical capacity through training.
He said the development of the necessary infrastructure and regulatory systems would remain important as Zambia advanced its nuclear energy ambitions.
Wolde further recognised Zambia’s contribution to the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA), describing its participation as valuable to regional cooperation.
In a speech read on his behalf by Director of Planning and Information Derick Sabol, Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Brilliant Habeenzu thanked the IAEA for its continued support, particularly in strengthening cancer treatment services.
Habeenzu said technical training had helped build local capacity to support the country’s nuclear-related programmes.
“Training has been important in building local capacity to support the programme and we thank the IAEA for the opportunities provided to Zambian personnel,” he said.
He called on the agency to sustain its assistance and continue involving Zambian officials in relevant technical, policy and legal meetings, saying such participation was important in strengthening the country’s preparedness.
Habeenzu said the visit provided an opportunity to better understand Zambia’s priorities and identify practical ways to deepen cooperation.
Director of Science, Technology and Innovation, Larry Mweetwa, also thanked the IAEA for its continued support, describing the working relationship as strong and responsive.
Mweetwa expressed appreciation for equipment provided during the previous and current years, noting that the benefits of the cooperation extended beyond healthcare to cultural institutions and universities, helping strengthen institutional capacity.
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