African countries have shown an increasing interest in developing nuclear power programs to supplement their current power shortages in recent years.

But what exactly is nuclear power? Nuclear power is electricity generated from nuclear energy. Nuclear energy comes from splitting uranium atoms in a reactor to heat water into steam, turn a turbine and generate electricity. Many people view nuclear energy as dangerous because it is associated with the world's deadliest weapons, nuclear bombs. 

However, nuclear energy is environmentally friendly, and is the second largest source of low-carbon electricity in the world behind hydropower. Nuclear energy production generates no carbon emissions, requires relatively small space to generate large quantities of electricity has a high energy density and a low cost of operation.

Despite the advantages, nuclear energy produces radioactive waste which is harmful to humans' health. Nuclear power plants are expensive to construct, and the mining of uranium causes land degradation. Nuclear accidents are also possible, with Chernobyl in Ukraine in 1986 being the worst so far.

Currently, South Africa is the only country in Africa that is actively exploring nuclear energy.

References

Nuclear Energy Institute 

https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/what-is-nuclear-energy

The Pros & Cons of Nuclear Energy: Is it safe?

https://springpowerandgas.us/the-pros-cons-of-nuclear-energy-is-it-safe/