As African states consider the role of nuclear energy in their future power mix, global experience and regulatory rigour will be critical. We speak with Anthony Ciccone, Senior Vice-President, Global Nuclear Sector at WSP, about next-generation reactor technologies, infrastructure readiness, and how nuclear can support long-term energy sovereignty across the continent.
Anthony leads WSP’s global nuclear sector from Toronto, Canada, where he has been building and integrating nuclear expertise across regions. WSP now operates nuclear hubs in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Nordics and, increasingly, South Africa.
How is WSP leveraging its international nuclear expertise to support Africa’s energy ambitions?
We are seeing that nuclear expertise is limited worldwide. The sector slowed for several years, leading to a reduction in subject-matter specialists as well as the workforce. WSP leverages its 83,000-strong global network to deliver specialist capability locally, with strong emphasis on skills transfer to ensure sustainability. In Africa, Governments rightly want investment to benefit local economies, and our role is to connect global nuclear experience to local delivery, ensuring projects follow international best practice while building in-country capability and capacity.
What excites you most about next-generation nuclear technologies such as SMRs and Generation IV reactors ?
Due to advances in design, construction methods and nuclear technologies, we’re increasingly seeing the rise of modularisation of small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs), where components are manufactured in controlled factory environments and then assembled on site. This is a significant shift as it promotes standardisation, which allows for repeatability. Reactors built to a common design are easier to license and regulate, and over time this fleet approach drives down costs. You cannot continue to build one-off projects and expect nuclear to compete commercially — modularisation is central to improving affordability and scalability.
We’re also seeing advances in cooling technologies. Some Generation IV concepts move away from traditional water-cooled systems towards helium, molten salt, or molten lead. That reduces overall water demand, which is especially important in water-stressed regions. These designs also incorporate enhanced passive safety features, ensuring reactors shut down safely without significant external intervention.
Together, these developments make nuclear more flexible, more deployable, and, importantly for regulators, more standardised.
What are the biggest challenges around sourcing, transporting, and managing nuclear fuel responsibly?
You cannot simply construct a reactor and ignore the upstream and downstream supply chain. Fuel strategy must be integrated from the outset, covering sourcing, enrichment, transport, and long-term supply chain management. Enriched fuel is classified as dangerous goods and must be transported under strict regulatory controls, with adherence to non-proliferation agreements.
WSP works across the full lifecycle of nuclear, including uranium mining and fuel processing, largely in North America and Europe. As the global market expands, we’re talking with clients in Africa about regional processing capacity and long-term fuel strategy. These will have to be addressed transparently and in line with international standards.
How is WSP helping to design safe, transparent systems for handling and disposing of radioactive waste?
Waste management is an area where international experience is particularly valuable.
WSP has decades of expertise in handling intermediate- and low-level waste. We were contracted to build the Near-Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) in Chalk River, Canada, to store low-level radioactive waste, and we are lead engineer on a deep geological repository (DGR) project designed to house spent nuclear fuel in carefully engineered underground caverns for long-term isolation.
Similar expertise exists across the UK and the Nordics. The guiding principle is controlled, transparent management throughout the full lifecycle: waste is handled within regulated facilities, stored safely, and ultimately transferred to secure repositories designed for long-term containment.
For countries considering nuclear, a waste strategy must be clearly defined from day one, with international collaboration and regulatory alignment central to the process.
How can nuclear contribute to ESG goals and environmental stewardship in Africa’s energy transition?
Nuclear generation produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, making it a meaningful option for countries seeking to reduce reliance on coal or diesel. Long fuel cycles add stability and predictability to energy supply, while advanced designs further reduce water demand and incorporate enhanced safety features.
From an environmental perspective, nuclear facilities have a relatively small operational footprint. Compared with hydro, solar, or wind, nuclear facilities require significantly less land to deliver equivalent power, can be built closer to where they are needed, and modern cooling systems are designed to ensure compliance before discharge. While uranium mining and waste handling must be managed responsibly, these processes are contained within regulated frameworks and, in jurisdictions such as Canada, ultimately transferred to deep geological repositories for long-term isolation.
Viewed across the full lifecycle, nuclear offers a low-carbon energy source with concentrated land use and well-defined environmental management systems. In Africa, it can complement renewables in achieving deep decarbonisation while maintaining grid reliability and balancing land and infrastructure constraints.
What steps are needed to build trust and understanding of nuclear energy among communities and stakeholders?
Public confidence requires transparent communication, education, and visible demonstration of safe operations. Modern reactors are designed with multiple layers of protection, and operational safety records are strong. Engagement with regulators, policymakers, and communities must be ongoing and evidence-based.
How should African countries prepare their infrastructure and regulatory frameworks for nuclear adoption?
Each sovereign nation must determine its own pathway, but international frameworks provide guidance. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sets out standards and milestones for countries embarking on nuclear programmes.
African nations can draw lessons from the UK, the Nordics, and North America in establishing independent regulatory bodies, licensing frameworks and safety oversight mechanisms.
Infrastructure readiness also includes grid stability, water availability, security arrangements and long-term waste strategy. Siting decisions are fundamental, as they influence transmission requirements, cooling solutions and community integration.
It is a significant undertaking and requires coordinated planning across government, regulators and industry.
Looking ahead, what role do you see nuclear playing in Africa’s energy mix over the next two decades?
South Africa, with its existing nuclear experience, is well-positioned to demonstrate how nuclear can complement other energy sources in a modern grid.
Over the next two decades, nuclear will form part of a balanced mix alongside renewables and other low-carbon technologies, reducing fossil reliance and supporting industrial growth and electrification.
However, success will depend on holistic planning. Reactor construction, fuel strategy, waste management and regulatory infrastructure must move forward together. Nuclear is not a standalone solution, but it can be a durable and strategic component of Africa’s long-term energy future.
To learn more about how WSP supports clients in advancing nuclear and energy strategies, visit Nuclear and Energy Advisory Services to explore how we help organisations unlock potential with confidence and shape resilient power futures.
WSP in Africa is hiring! To find out more about available opportunities, check out the Careers page on our website or look out for updates on our LinkedIn page, @WSPinAfrica.
