Rosatom and the BRICS
Nuclear Platform have announced the launch of the ninth annual Atoms Empowering
Africa video contest. The competition invites participants to explain how the
BRICS Nuclear Platform can support sustainable development in their countries
by recording a short video on one of five topics: “The Role of Nuclear Energy
in the Future of BRICS Countries”, “How Nuclear Technologies Improve People’s
Lives” (focusing on non-power applications of nuclear technologies), “Youth and
the BRICS Nuclear Platform”, “Cities and Regions of the BRICS Nuclear
Platform”, and “The BRICS Nuclear Platform: Vision for 2030”. The contest is
open to citizens of African countries aged 18 to 35.
Submissions will be accepted until 1 May. A jury will then evaluate the entries based on several criteria, including originality of the idea, clarity and consistency of presentation, and the relevance of the proposed solution to the specific region. A maximum of one winner per country will be selected – either an individual participant or a team of two. The winners will be announced in June. They will have an opportunity to join the youth programme of the international World Atomic Week forum in 2026. Travel, accommodation and meals will be fully covered by the contest organisers. Detailed information on the contest rules and application requirements will be available on the Rosatom Africa website: rosatomafrica.com
“The BRICS Nuclear Platform is designed to create new opportunities for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies. By integrating the Atoms Empowering Africa contest into the Platform’s activities, we hope to inspire African youth to think about how international cooperation can help address the pressing challenges facing their countries. We are convinced that their ideas and perspectives will make an important contribution to building a more innovative and open community in the field of nuclear technologies,” said Elsie Pule, Head coordinator of the BRICS Nuclear Platform.
“Across many African countries today, the role of modern nuclear technologies in long-term development is actively being discussed – fr om ensuring reliable energy supply to introducing advanced solutions in healthcare and agriculture. The Atoms Empowering Africa contest helps engage a new generation – students, entrepreneurs and young professionals from across the continent – in this discussion. This year, participants are also invited to consider the potential of cooperation within the BRICS Nuclear Platform,” noted Ryan Collyer, CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa.
The Atoms Empowering Africa
contest has been held since 2017. Its goal is to engage young professionals
from across the African continent in dialogue about the peaceful uses of
nuclear technologies. In 2025, the contest received 50 applications. The 13 selected
winners represented six countries: South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Namibia. The winners travelled to Russia,
wh ere they visited the Rosatom Technical Academy in Obninsk, the Obninsk
Nuclear Power Plant (now operating as a memorial and research complex), the
Atom Museum at VDNH, as well as the Kremlin and Red Square as part of the
cultural programme.
The BRICS Nuclear Platform was established to strengthen cooperation aimed at promoting nuclear energy as a low‑carbon power source. Declarations in support of the Platform were signed by 10 participants from companies and government bodies in BRICS member and partner countries: CNNC (China National Nuclear Corporation, China), NECSA (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, South Africa), Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd (state-owned power utility, South Africa), NPPD (Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran), ABDAN (Associação Brasileira para Desenvolvimento de Atividades Nucleares, Brazil), ABEN (Agencia Boliviana de Energía Nuclear, Bolivia), the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia, NPPA (Nuclear Power Plants Authority, Egypt), NBEPar (Nucleo Brasil Energia Participações Ltda, Brazil), and the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Russia). Throughout 2026, expert events under the auspices of the Platform will take place at major industry venues.
The international World Atomic Week forum (formerly known as ATOMEXPO) has been held annually since 2009. It brings together leaders of major nuclear industry companies, as well as representatives of government institutions, international and public organisations. In 2025, the forum was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry and was held from 25 to 28 September at VDNH in Moscow.
