The African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development, and Training in Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) is an intergovernmental agreement established by African Member States. Its primary objective is to enhance and expand the role of nuclear science and technology in contributing to socio-economic development across the African continent. AFRA engages in a broad spectrum of peaceful applications of nuclear techniques, aligning with the respective National as well as the regional development objectives.
Member States renew the AFRA Agreement every five years, with each term lasting five years. The renewal process involves Member States notifying the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of their acceptance of the extension and their commitment to continuing their participation in the Agreement. The Fifth Extension of AFRA, in effect from April 4, 2015, to April 3, 2020, marked a significant period of collaboration and advancement.
While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is not a party to AFRA, it provides crucial technical and scientific support. This support includes financial and administrative assistance, following the principles, rules, and procedures outlined in the IAEA's technical cooperation program. The IAEA's involvement underscores its commitment to facilitating the success of AFRA in fostering nuclear science and technology advancements for the benefit of the African region.
Mandate
AFRA's regional strategy focuses on optimizing existing resources, advancing regional self-sufficiency, and securing financial support and sustainability to enhance the impact of nuclear science and technology on the socio-economic development of its Member States. Through this regional approach to sustainable development, AFRA aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Maximize the utilization of available infrastructure and expertise in Africa within the realm of nuclear science and technology.
- Accelerate progress towards regional self-sufficiency in peaceful applications of nuclear techniques. This involves establishing and reinforcing essential infrastructure, coordinating both intellectual and physical resources, and efficiently disseminating innovative methods and practices.
- Foster a deeper commitment among Member States to the application of nuclear science and technology for socio-economic development by ensuring sustained funding.
In summary, AFRA's regional strategy focuses on optimizing existing resources, advancing regional self-sufficiency, and securing ongoing financial support to enhance the impact of nuclear science and technology on the socio-economic development of its Member States.
Vision and Mission
The AFRA mission is rooted in the AFRA Agreement, wherein it is articulated that “…the Governments Parties to this Agreement […] recognize that, within their national atomic energy programmes, there exist areas of common interest wherein cooperation can promote the more efficient utilization of available resources. […] The Government Parties undertake […] to promote and coordinate cooperative research, development and training projects in nuclear science and technology through their appropriate national institutions”.
Vision
To be the leading regional organization in Africa and vehicle of the Member States for the effective promotion and coordination of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for socio-economic development on the African continent.
Mission
In alignment with the social context and economic objectives of its Member States, AFRA is to develop capacity, establish and facilitate, through regional cooperation, the use of infrastructure to exploit nuclear science and technology applications safely and cost effectively in order to meet the challenges of sustained communal socio-economic development on the African continent.
