Ghana Reportedly Opens Talks with Rosatom on First Nuclear Power Plant

Ghana has begun discussions with Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom over the establishment of the country’s first nuclear power station, according to Ghanaian media.

The reported talks were disclosed as Ghana and Russia broadened bilateral engagement following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama in Moscow, held after the Russia-Africa summit.

Mahama told the summit that Ghana was pursuing a diversified energy mix to strengthen the security of its power grid. The available information does not specify the proposed plant’s location, generating capacity, financing arrangements, construction timetable or current status.

Separate minerals agreement

Russia’s wider economic cooperation with Ghana also includes a bauxite and alumina project involving Rusal and the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation.

Rusal said the agreement would establish joint ventures for bauxite mining in Ghana. The planned mining operation is centred on the Nyinahin deposit in the Ashanti Region of southwestern Ghana, which the company estimates contains more than 100 million tonnes of bauxite.

According to Rusal, the mining operation could produce up to five million tonnes of bauxite annually. The project would be implemented through two joint ventures, Nyinahin Bauxite and Ghana Alumina Company, with Rusal receiving a majority stake in each, the company said.

A second phase is planned to include an alumina refinery with annual production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes, using bauxite from the Nyinahin deposit. Rusal described alumina as part of the project’s development plans, but the supplied information does not indicate that construction of either the mine or refinery has begun.

BRICS application

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said Russia strongly supports Ghana’s application to join BRICS. Ghana announced earlier in the month that it would formally apply to join the group of emerging economies.

The developments come as Moscow continues to strengthen relations with African countries. The Russia-Africa summit was held in Moscow while Russia faced Western sanctions linked to its war in Ukraine.

Ghana is a major exporter of gold, cocoa and oil. The reported nuclear discussions, alongside cooperation on bauxite and alumina, point to expanding engagement between Accra and Moscow across energy, mining and international affairs. However, the nuclear initiative remains based on media reports, and no further project details have been confirmed in the available information.