by Giuseppe Gagliano –
Iran has signed a memorandum of understanding with Burkina Faso and Kenya for cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 68th meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, an event of global importance that brings countries from around the world together to discuss the use responsible for nuclear energy.
This agreement paves the way for a new level of cooperation between Iran and the two African countries, focusing on nuclear projects that are mainly related to energy production, nuclear medicine and the development of related technologies. to water resources management. The signing of the MoU reflects Iran’s effort to strengthen its ties with Africa, a continent that provides opportunities for cooperation in strategic sectors such as energy and sustainable development. For Burkina Faso and Kenya, the agreement represents an opportunity to benefit from Iran’s technical expertise in the nuclear field, a sector that, if used peacefully and in accordance with international standards, could contribute to economic development and social of the countries involved.
From a geopolitical point of view, the agreement marks another step by Iran towards expanding its influence on the African continent, an area in which Tehran has sought to increase its presence through investments and bilateral cooperation. . This comes in a global context where Iran, despite sanctions and pressure from Western powers regarding its nuclear program, continues to seek partners before new technologies, especially among developing countries. Africa, with its growing demand for energy and infrastructure development, offers an ideal platform for Iran to strengthen its economic and technological diplomacy.
The agreement, however, could raise concerns in some Western capitals, particularly with Iran’s controversial nuclear program, which has been the subject of lengthy international negotiations to restrict its use to peaceful purposes only. Nuclear cooperation between Iran and African countries could be viewed with suspicion by those who fear that Tehran could expand its sphere of influence by using nuclear technology as geopolitical leverage. However, Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that it is actively cooperating with the IAEA to ensure transparency and compliance with international standards.
For Burkina Faso and Kenya, both countries with major energy challenges, cooperation with Iran could be a turning point in improving access to energy and increasing their technological capabilities. In particular, Kenya has an ambitious nuclear development program aimed at diversifying its energy sources and meeting the country’s growing energy demand. Similarly, Burkina Faso, which has major problems related to resource scarcity and water management, could benefit from nuclear technologies for decontamination and sustainable resource management.
In conclusion, the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran, Burkina Faso and Kenya represents an interesting development in international relations, with consequences that go beyond technical cooperation. This agreement could redefine the geopolitical balance between Iran and Africa, strengthening their economic and strategic relations, while the Western powers keep a close eye on every move in the nuclear sector, given its importance to global and regional security.
