The International Atomic Energy Agency has allocated $54m (€53m) in funding over the last 10 years for 238 projects in 35 African countries as it seeks to use nuclear and nuclear-related techniques to tackle problems ranging from zoonotic diseases to insect pests.

In a report released at the United Nations Cop27 Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the agency said its work in Africa includes land use management, soil erosion, climate-smart agriculture, food production systems, improved crop varieties, analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, water resource management, coastal protection and ocean change monitoring.

The report, Nuclear Technologies and Climate Adaptation in Africa, describes various areas of intervention, supported by case studies offering concrete examples of how nuclear science and technology have benefitted Africa.