MINISTER: Zimbabwe plans to build nuclear power plant; Russia provides technical expertise

By Agencies

Zimbabwe is planning to build a nuclear power plant, a cabinet minister has revealed.

Speaking in an interview with Russia’s TASS news agency, education minister Torerayi Moyo said the Harare government is planning its nuclear energy sector.

“We intend to build a nuclear power plant in our country and develop nuclear energy as a whole, as it is essential for achieving industrialization,” he said.

Moyo thanked Russia for providing Zimbabwe with assistance in training specialists in the nuclear power and space industries.

The country has struggled with power cuts for more than two decades, compromising efforts to resuscitate an ailing economy beat down by hyperinflation.

World Bank estimates suggest that power shortages cost the country 6.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) per year in excessive network losses, generation inefficiencies, and supply chain losses.

Meanwhile, the minister also highlighted the importance of specialists in the space industry currently being trained in Russia, noting that Zimbabwe plans to launch more satellites to explore its rich mineral resources.

He expressed gratitude to the Russian government for offering scholarships to Zimbabwean students, enabling them to study at Russian universities.

“We are very grateful to the Russian government for providing scholarships for our youth to study at Russian universities,” the minister stated.

In addition to technological cooperation, Moyo emphasized the importance of promoting Russian language education in Zimbabwe.

For Zimbabwe, “it is very important to promote the teaching of the Russian language in the country, as this will help enhance bilateral cooperation, cultural ties, and overall friendship,” he noted.

The minister also held discussions with a delegation of professors from the Russian Perm State Humanitarian-Pedagogical University that is currently in Zimbabwe.