A deal has been signed by Russia to build two nuclear power plants in Nigeria, as one of Africa’s largest economy seeks to end its energy crisis.
Rosatom a state-owned company from Russia will build one in the south, the other in the centre.
The project would cost approx $20bn (£15bn).
It is one of a number that Rosatom has been eyeing on the continent.
The company is also involved in discussions in South Africa and Ghana.
An initial agreement with the South Africa to build a plant was earlier this year.
After a long period of negotiations, the agreement in Nigeria was finalized, with the two countries signing their first intergovernmental nuclear co-operation agreement in 2009.
Nigeria hopes the plants, which will initially be operated by Rosatom before they are handed over, will help deal with the country’s energy deficit.
More than 40% of the country was without mains electricity in 2014, according to World Bank figures, Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest oil producers, but much of its oil wealth has been squandered over the years.
Corruption at all levels has left the country out of pocket, and producing a fraction of the energy its 180 million citizens need.
Construction of the new power plants is expected to begin in the next two years.
