Morocco Conducts 18 Expert Missions with IAEA in 2025, Civil Nuclear Cooperation Expands to African Level

Morocco's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is shifting from mere technical assistance to more active participation in regional capacity building. In 2025, Moroccan experts completed 18 international expert missions under the IAEA Technical Cooperation framework, with the agency's assistance to Morocco reaching €1.17 million in the same year. This indicates that Morocco has established a certain foundation in nuclear science, nuclear technology applications, and regulatory capabilities, and is beginning to play a more significant role in Africa's nuclear technology cooperation network.

The National Center for Energy, Nuclear Science and Nuclear Technology in Rabat was granted the status of IAEA Collaborating Centre in September 2024, with a cooperation cycle covering 2025 to 2029, focusing on water resource management, environmental protection, and industrial applications. This arrangement shows that Morocco's priorities in advancing nuclear technology development are not limited to potential future nuclear power, but rather emphasize the practical application of nuclear technology in livelihood and industrial sectors, including hydrological monitoring, environmental assessment, industrial inspection, and related scientific research and training.

The medical field is also an important direction for Morocco's nuclear technology cooperation. The National Oncology Institute of Morocco has been designated as an anchor centre for the IAEA's "Rays of Hope" initiative, a project aimed at expanding access to radiotherapy in Africa. As trainees from other African countries receive training in Morocco, the country has the opportunity to create a ripple effect in oncology treatment, radiotherapy workforce development, and regional medical cooperation, further enhancing its influence in Africa's public health system.

From a regulatory perspective, Morocco's civil nuclear sector has established a relatively complete institutional framework. Law No. 142-12 established the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security to oversee the industry; the Maâmora Nuclear Research Centre has long operated a TRIGA Mark II research reactor for training as well as medical, agricultural, and industrial applications. In June 2025, Morocco received for the first time the IAEA's highest-level safeguards confirmation regarding the peaceful use of its nuclear materials, which holds significant importance for its international credibility and future nuclear cooperation.

Meanwhile, Morocco has also been listed among ten African countries that have initiated the first phase of nuclear power preparation, though it remains in the preliminary assessment stage with no timeline announced for nuclear power generation. Considering its progress in nuclear safety and security, research reactor operation, talent training, and international cooperation, Morocco appears to be laying the groundwork for long-term energy choices and technological self-sufficiency rather than immediately entering the nuclear power construction phase.