Russia and Mali sign agreement on cooperation in nuclear energy

MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - Russia and Mali have signed an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, according to a statement on the Kremlin website following the visit of Mali's transitional president Assimi Goita to Russia.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin had previously ordered the signing of agreements between the Russian government and the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The corresponding agreement with Burkina Faso was signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025.

According to the order, Russia intends to cooperate with Mali and Burkina Faso in the areas of creating and improving nuclear energy infrastructure, and designing and constructing power and research nuclear reactors and particle accelerators, as well as water desalination plants.

Other areas of cooperation include nuclear fuel cycle services for nuclear power plants and research reactors, radioactive waste management, and nuclear and radiation safety.

In 2023, Rosatom announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Mali on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The parties also discussed prospects for collaboration between the two countries in geological exploration and mining and in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Mali's Minister of Economy and Finance Alousseni Sanou reported at Russian Energy Week 2024 that the African country planned to begin lithium mining and processing with Russia.