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Russia’s state nuclear energy company, Rosatom, has officially launched a $1.2 billion uranium extraction partnership with the government of Tanzania. The project, described as one of the country’s most ambitious clean energy initiatives, aims to use Tanzania’s huge uranium deposits to power its economic and industrial development and boost its position in the global energy market.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan led the commissioning of a $400 million uranium pilot plant at the Mkuju River Project site in Namtumbo, Ruvuma Region. The facility is the first of its kind in Tanzania and represents a major shift in the country’s approach to clean energy and strategic mineral development. The full plan includes a 20-year roadmap to mine and process over 300,000 tonnes of uranium.
Speaking at the event, President Samia Suluhu said the project is a clear indication of Tanzania’s commitment to responsibly using its natural resources to support economic and sustainable growth. “This is a landmark achievement for our country. For the first time, Tanzania is stepping onto the global uranium map with the capacity to supply a strategic mineral essential for safe and sustainable energy generation worldwide,” she said.
Rosatom’s Director General, Mr. Alexey Likhachev, also attended the launch and said the company is bringing its advanced uranium processing technology to help Tanzania develop its geological potential. He noted that Rosatom works based on equality and mutual understanding with its partners and follows international environmental and social standards.
The uranium plant will initially serve as a test site to evaluate processing technologies, which will later inform the construction of a full-scale facility with an annual capacity of up to 3,000 tonnes of uranium. Construction of the main facility is expected to start in early 2026 and be completed by 2029.
Rosatom is carrying out the project through its subsidiary, Mantra Tanzania Limited, a branch of Uranium One Group. The group also operates in Kazakhstan and Namibia. The Nyota deposit, where the plant is located, is considered one of the largest uranium sites in Africa, with over 152 million tonnes of ore.
According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Minerals, the government owns a 20% stake in the Mkuju River project, which is projected to generate around $40 million annually in dividends. The ministry said this revenue would be channelled into national development projects. Officials also expect the project to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, transforming the local economy and supporting national energy plans.
With the successful launch of this uranium project, Tanzania is set to join the ranks of the world’s top 10 uranium producers. The government says the venture will also attract more foreign investors looking to partner with countries that have strategic energy minerals and supportive regulatory environments.
Rosatom has a long history in Africa, including supplying enriched uranium to South Africa’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and supporting nuclear education through university partnerships. The company is also working with several African countries as the continent pushes to generate up to 15 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2035.
Despite the positive outlook, civil society groups and environmentalists have raised concerns. They warned about the risks of radioactive waste, water pollution, and possible displacement of nearby communities. However, both the Tanzanian government and Rosatom have assured the public that the project follows international safety, environmental, and sustainability standards. Measures such as real-time ecosystem monitoring, water recycling systems, and biodiversity protection plans are in place.
Meanwhile, the project is launching at a time when Russia has announced new restrictions on enriched uranium exports to the United States. This decision follows Washington’s own ban on Russian uranium products earlier this year. President Vladimir Putin approved the counter-ban through a government decree in November, with some exemptions to be considered case by case.
Rosatom said the ban is legal and expected as a response to U.S. sanctions. While deliveries to the U.S. will stop, supplies to other countries, including those in Africa, will continue as planned under existing contracts and local laws.
The U.S. ban was signed into law by President Joe Biden in May and officially started in August. It bars the import of Russian uranium products until 2040, though waivers are possible for limited imports up to January 2028.
As the global push for cleaner energy options grows, uranium is gaining attention again. Tanzania’s move to partner with Russia may help it tap into global supply chains for nuclear energy and position itself as a reliable supplier of yellowcake and other uranium products. With more African countries now exploring nuclear energy, Tanzania’s uranium reserves could become central to Africa’s energy transition.
