Russia has signed a deal to build two nuclear power plants in Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy seeks to end its energy crisis.<\/p>\n
Russian state-owned company Rosatom will build one in the south, the other in the centre, sources at the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission told the BBC.<\/p>\n
The deal’s exact worth is unknown, although some reports suggest it is likely in the region of $20bn (\u00a315bn).<\/p>\n
It is one of a number that Rosatom has been eyeing on the continent.<\/p>\n
The company is also involved in discussions in Ghana and South Africa.<\/p>\n
An initial agreement with the latter to build a plant was\u00a0ruled unlawful in a South African court\u00a0earlier this year.<\/p>\n
The deal in Nigeria was reached after a long period of negotiation, with the two countries signing their first intergovernmental nuclear co-operation agreement in 2009.<\/p>\n
Nigeria hopes the plants, which will initially be operated by Rosatom before they are handed over, will help deal with the country’s energy deficit.<\/p>\n
According to World Bank figures, more than 40% of the country was without mains electricity in 2014.<\/p>\n
Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest oil producers, but much of its oil wealth has been squandered over the years.<\/p>\n
Corruption at all levels has left the country out of pocket, and producing a fraction of the energy its 180 million citizens need.<\/p>\n
Construction of the new power plants is expected to begin in the next two years.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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