Morocco continues to diversify its international partnerships in the field of civil nuclear energy, with a particular focus on the safety and security of installations. In this context, a strategic rapprochement is underway with Australia, a key player in the global uranium supply chain, even though it does not have any nuclear power plants itself.
The initial steps of this cooperation have been established in recent months through institutional exchanges between the Moroccan Authority for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR) and the relevant Australian authorities. On the sidelines of the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, a bilateral meeting paved the way for structured collaboration centered on best practices, regulatory processes, and capacity building.
This momentum aligns with Morocco’s desire to strengthen its regional and international role in nuclear safety, at a time when civil uses of nuclear technologies—medicine, industry, research, energy—are gaining traction, including in countries that do not yet have nuclear power plants.
A Cooperation Based on Expertise and Prevention
An initial exchange had already taken place in Rabat during a courtesy visit by the Australian ambassador to the Director General of AMSSNuR, Saïd Mouline. Discussions focused on possible areas of cooperation, particularly the sharing of regulatory expertise and assisting authorities in establishing rigorous and independent oversight frameworks.
The significance of this rapprochement also stems from Australia’s unique positioning in the global nuclear landscape. The Oceania nation holds the largest known uranium reserves and is among the main producers of yellowcake, the concentrated uranium oxide (U₃O₈) used as raw material for nuclear fuel. This industrial expertise, combined with a strong safety culture, grants Australia a central role in international discussions on civil nuclear energy.
Moroccan Uranium Re-emerges in Discussion
Simultaneously, interest in Moroccan uranium is resurfacing. The Kingdom was a producer until 1999 and holds potentially significant resources through its phosphate rock. According to several geological studies, Moroccan phosphates may contain a volume of uranium greater than that of the largest Australian mining reserves.
The rise in global uranium prices and geopolitical tensions in energy markets are renewing attention on the recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid, a technically mastered process increasingly deemed economically viable. Emerging technologies, particularly those based on ion exchange or direct leaching, could significantly reduce operational costs in the future.
While no industrial projects have yet been launched, these developments reinforce Morocco’s strategic interest in strengthening its safety framework ahead of any future decisions.
Safety as a Regional and International Priority
In this context, AMSSNuR is ramping up initiatives at the multilateral level. Morocco recently chaired the 11th plenary meeting of the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN), held in Vienna alongside the IAEA General Conference. Discussions focused on key issues: emergency management, cybersecurity, the role of artificial intelligence in regulation, small modular reactors (SMRs), and skills enhancement.
Morocco is also establishing itself as a regional training hub. In December 2025, Rabat hosted an African workshop dedicated to assessing the safety of small and medium reactors, bringing together experts and regulators from several countries on the continent. The goal is to equip African authorities with robust technical analysis tools, both deterministic and probabilistic, to guide the emergence of new nuclear technologies.
Through these initiatives and the rapprochement with Australia, Morocco is confirming a gradual and cautious approach to civil nuclear energy, primarily based on regulatory mastery, international cooperation, and security, before any significant industrial development. This is a long-term strategy where safety precedes ambition.
Source: ALM