African Nuclear Educational Network (AFRA-NEST): Assessment, challenges, and the way forward

Abstract

As eleven African countries are planning or moving ahead with the implementation of national nuclear programs, the role of nuclear education networks in preparing the needed national workforce cannot be underestimated. A 2022 IAEA publication on Nuclear Educational Networks benchmarked the different nuclear networks. It suffices to mention that; as of 2022; the African Nuclear Educational Network, AFRA-NEST, does not have a network platform and the position of the regional coordinator is vacant. Also, the network did not witness any major activities since nearly 2013. This opinion paper is an attempt to better understand the history and status of AFRA-NEST, address the challenges and provide some recommendations on re-activating it to cope with the ongoing nuclear activities in Africa.