IAEA Expands Nuclear Partnership with Kenya to Advance Cancer Treatment Centres

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has concluded a high-profile visit to Kenya aimed at strengthening cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, with major developments announced in both cancer healthcare and nuclear energy.

During his third official visit to the country as IAEA Director General, Grossi inaugurated new advanced cancer treatment equipment in Mombasa and Nakuru while also expanding the Agency’s partnership with Kenya on the development of its nuclear power programme.

The visit underscored the growing role of nuclear technology in addressing Africa’s healthcare, energy and development challenges, as governments across the continent increasingly explore nuclear applications to improve medical services, strengthen energy security and accelerate industrial growth.

New Cancer Treatment Machines to Expand Access to Radiotherapy

One of the centrepieces of Grossi’s visit was the inauguration of a new linear accelerator (linac) machine at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, alongside Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, and Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir.

A second linac machine was also officially launched on the same day in Nakuru, marking a significant expansion of Kenya’s radiotherapy treatment capacity.

Linear accelerators are advanced radiotherapy systems that use high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. They are considered among the most effective technologies for modern cancer treatment.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Kenya recorded approximately:

• 44,700 new cancer cases

• 29,000 cancer-related deaths

in 2022 alone, highlighting the growing burden of non-communicable diseases across the country.

Health experts say limited radiotherapy infrastructure has long forced many Kenyan cancer patients to travel long distances — or even abroad — to access treatment, creating major financial and social hardships for families.

The new linac systems are expected to significantly improve treatment access in Kenya’s coastal and Rift Valley regions while also serving patients from neighbouring countries in East Africa.

“For too long, many cancer patients had to travel abroad for treatment. Now, more people will be able to receive lifesaving care closer to home,” Grossi said during the inauguration ceremony.

“Kenya is showing what can be achieved through commitment, partnership and solidarity.”

Rays of Hope Initiative Expands Across Africa

The cancer treatment systems were delivered under the IAEA’s flagship Rays of Hope initiative, with financial support provided by the United States of America.

Launched by Grossi in 2022, the initiative aims to expand access to cancer diagnosis, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and oncology infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries, particularly across Africa where cancer care gaps remain severe.

More than 100 countries have now joined the programme, making it one of the IAEA’s largest global healthcare initiatives.

Kenya was among the first countries to participate when the initiative was launched, reflecting the country’s growing investment in healthcare modernization and medical technology.

“This is what Rays of Hope is about: changing lives for better and bringing care where it is needed most,” Grossi said.

The programme focuses not only on equipment delivery but also on training medical personnel, strengthening radiation safety standards, and building long-term oncology capacity.

Africa faces a particularly urgent cancer crisis, with the World Health Organization warning that cancer cases on the continent are expected to rise sharply over coming decades due to population growth, ageing demographics, lifestyle changes and limited early detection services.

Nuclear Energy Positioned as Driver of Africa’s Future Growth

Beyond healthcare, Grossi used his Kenya visit to deepen cooperation on nuclear energy development as African countries increasingly look to nuclear power as part of long-term energy transition strategies.

The IAEA chief participated in the Africa Forward Summit: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth, held in Nairobi, where political leaders, financial institutions and private sector executives discussed Africa’s future economic transformation and industrial development.

Addressing the Summit, Grossi argued that safe and secure nuclear energy could play a major role in powering Africa’s economic future.

He said access to nuclear technology could “energize and dynamize” Africa’s development by supporting industrialization, clean energy production and long-term energy security.

Many African countries continue to face chronic electricity shortages, limited industrial energy capacity and rising demand from rapidly growing populations.

Experts increasingly view nuclear power as a potential complement to renewable energy systems in countries seeking reliable low-carbon electricity generation.

Kenya Advances Nuclear Power Ambitions

On the sidelines of the Summit, Grossi signed a new cooperation agreement with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, aimed at expanding IAEA support for Kenya’s nuclear power programme.

The agreement is expected to strengthen collaboration in areas including:

• Nuclear infrastructure development

• Regulatory and safety frameworks

• Human resource training

• Technical expertise

• Nuclear security

• Long-term energy planning

Kenya has been steadily advancing plans to develop nuclear energy as part of its broader strategy to diversify electricity generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels and hydropower vulnerability linked to climate change.

The country aims to eventually integrate nuclear power into its national energy mix to support industrial growth and meet rising electricity demand.

“The IAEA remains committed to supporting Kenya’s safe, secure and peaceful development of nuclear energy,” Grossi said.

Africa Increasingly Turns to Nuclear Technology

Grossi’s visit reflects a broader trend across Africa, where nuclear science and technology are gaining increasing attention not only in energy production but also in healthcare, agriculture, water management and industrial applications.

Several African countries are currently exploring or advancing nuclear energy programmes, including:

• Egypt

• Ghana

• Nigeria

• South Africa

• Rwanda

• Uganda

At the same time, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy remain critically underdeveloped across much of the continent.

The IAEA estimates that many African countries still lack sufficient radiotherapy machines, trained oncologists and diagnostic infrastructure, leaving millions without access to timely cancer care.

By combining healthcare investment with energy cooperation, the IAEA’s engagement with Kenya highlights how nuclear technology is increasingly being positioned as a strategic development tool capable of addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges.

Analysts say Kenya’s growing partnership with the IAEA could become a model for how African countries integrate nuclear science into broader national development agendas focused on health, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.