NUCLEAR ECONOMY: An Analysis of Mkuju Uranium Reserves and President Samia’s Vision for Tanzania’s First Nuclear Plant by 2029

By Beda Msimbe, TBN, from Russia

For many years, discussions about energy in Tanzania have been dominated by hydropower, natural gas, and more recently renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

However, recent remarks by President Samia Suluhu Hassan while in Russia have confirmed that Tanzania is now determined to join the nuclear energy club by 2029.

This is not a matter of chance but rather a strategic plan driven by the existence of substantial uranium reserves in the Mkuju River Basin in Ruvuma Region. The long-awaited project is expected to unlock significant development opportunities. The strategy aims to provide the country with alternative and reliable energy sources to address power shortages and support the rapid growth of the industrial sector.

The history of the Mkuju River uranium project, located within the ecosystem of Selous and Nyerere in southern Tanzania, shows that it is considered one of the largest undeveloped uranium deposits in the world.

The project is owned by Mantra Tanzania, a subsidiary of Uranium One, which in turn is owned by Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom.

The discovery of these mineral resources generated significant optimism from the early 2010s when geological studies indicated that the area contained an estimated 152 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore capable of producing millions of pounds of processed uranium over a mine life estimated at between 12 and 20 years.

However, the project encountered several challenges that led to its temporary suspension, including the collapse of global uranium prices following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011.

Global demand for uranium declined sharply, causing prices to fall and making the Mkuju project commercially unviable at the time.

Another challenge involved environmental concerns and regulatory requirements, as the project area was located within the Selous World Heritage Site. This required the government to adjust conservation boundaries to allow mining activities while minimizing impacts on the broader ecosystem.

After years of inactivity, the Mkuju project is now gaining momentum again due to the recovery of global uranium prices and strong political support from the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Currently, Mantra Tanzania and Uranium One have completed pilot testing of In-Situ Recovery (ISR) technology through a demonstration processing plant.

This modern technology is considered safer for the environment because it does not involve large-scale excavation. Instead, specialized solutions are injected underground to dissolve uranium, which is then pumped to the surface in liquid form.

Current developments indicate that key infrastructure, including access roads, radiation protection systems, and worker accommodation facilities, has already been improved. Meanwhile, the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission continues to conduct regular inspections to ensure radiation safety standards are met before full-scale mining begins.

The years of silence surrounding the project raised many questions, but citizens and economic stakeholders are now eagerly awaiting the commencement of mining activities because of the anticipated employment and economic opportunities.

Residents of southern regions, particularly Ruvuma and Lindi, expect direct and indirect employment opportunities, as well as increased local business activity through the supply of goods and services to the mine.

The project is also expected to become a significant new source of royalties and tax revenues for the government, helping to finance social development projects such as healthcare and education. At the same time, hopes for energy independence are growing, as President Samia’s statement that the uranium would eventually be used to generate electricity in Tanzania suggests that the country aims not only to export raw materials but also to become an end-user of nuclear technology.

One of the strongest indications that Tanzania is quietly and carefully moving toward establishing a nuclear power plant is the existence of a confidentiality agreement preventing both the Tanzania Electric Supply Company and Russia’s Rosatom from publicly discussing the negotiations until they are finalized.

Energy and legal experts in Tanzania have explained that such non-disclosure agreements are standard practice, particularly when dealing with sensitive matters involving national security and strategic energy infrastructure such as nuclear power.

This high level of confidentiality is intended to safeguard national interests and prevent interference from competing geopolitical actors before the negotiations are completed.

Analysts interpret this secrecy as a clear sign that both parties may be entering the final technical and legal stages required to facilitate the construction of the plant without causing unnecessary public concern.

To achieve the vision of having a nuclear power plant by 2029, Tanzania faces the major task of establishing a robust legal and technical regulatory framework.

Speaking to journalists in St. Petersburg, Russia, while attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Samia noted that the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission would play a crucial role in overseeing the peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with guidelines set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The new partnership with Russia will focus not only on acquiring equipment but also on technology transfer through the training of Tanzanian engineers, a process that is already being supported in Russia. This is particularly important because the safety of a nuclear power plant depends entirely on the competence, knowledge, and diligence of the people responsible for operating it.

Government energy experts emphasize that this strategic initiative will provide the country with a reliable source of industrial power that is not vulnerable to climate-related disruptions, unlike hydropower.

Their views were echoed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who stated that the government’s objective is for Tanzania to generate a total of 8,000 megawatts of electricity, creating a surplus that can be exported to neighboring countries.

The ongoing discussions under the confidentiality agreement aim to ensure that the construction of the plant complies with all international standards while maintaining costs that are manageable for Tanzania’s economy.

This demonstrates that the government is proceeding cautiously and methodically, relying on extensive research and planning to safeguard the interests of both current and future generations.

The journey toward 2029 has already begun quietly but steadily under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Her visit to Russia, while yielding major political and economic achievements, has also facilitated several agreements related to nuclear technology cooperation.

Mkuju uranium is no longer merely a story of untapped mineral wealth lying underground; it is becoming a strategic asset capable of transforming the energy landscape of East and Central Africa.

If President Samia’s vision is realized and the ongoing confidential negotiations produce the intended outcomes, then by 2029 the steam and light from Tanzania’s first nuclear power plant could stand as tangible evidence of a nation that chose to embrace the energy of the future in pursuit of sustainable development today.