Paragraph 1 of Article IV of the AFRA Agreement states that “any Government party may participate in a cooperative project established in accordance with Article III,…”.
Article V of the Agreement defines the commitment and inputs required from the participating countries for the implementation of an AFRA activity at national level. In particular, the Article states that “…, each participating Government shall make available the necessary scientific and technical facilities and personnel for the implementation of the cooperative project…”.
Moreover, paragraph (2) of Article VII of the Agreement requests the IAEA to apply its rules, procedures and principles to all AFRA projects established in accordance with this Agreement by means of technical assistance and its other programmes. The principles, rules and procedures that are applicable to the IAEA’s technical assistance or other programmes shall, as appropriate, apply to any such IAEA support.
The above-mentioned three legal dispositions define clearly the conditions and requirements for the participation of any government party in AFRA projects. In particular, it emphasizes the availability of adequate infrastructure in terms of laboratory facilities, trained human resources and legal framework (legislation, regulations, and codes of practice).
Moreover, it has been an accepted principle from the inception of AFRA that this programme shall exclusively promote and develop nuclear science and technology in Africa by optimizing the utilization of available nuclear facilities and expertise for the benefit of all countries concerned. In other words, AFRA is not expected to establish basic infrastructures in its Member States; but rather to make effective and efficient use of the nuclear facilities and expertise that exist in the region for strengthening national and regional capabilities and, ultimately, contributing towards the achievement of self-reliance in the field of nuclear science and technology.
Participation in AFRA projects needs to be regulated in order to:
- Preserve AFRA credibility and achievements;
- Use more efficiently and effectively the rather limited programme financial resources;
- Optimize the programme impact; and
- Help the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to undertake remedial actions to their particular deficiencies before joining AFRA projects and/or plan the introduction of the technology under bilateral programmes.
The following criteria stem from the legal dispositions of the Agreement as well as the IAEA principles, rules and procedures for the provision of technical assistance to Member States:
- Availability of the necessary basic infrastructure at the time of the request to join an AFRA project (basic laboratory facilities, adequate numbers of scientists and technicians in the field; legislation/regulations promulgated and enforced) for the successful implementation of the project activities in the country;
- Availability of an on-going national programme of activities in the field, which will support the successful implementation of the project in the country, absorb the assistance received and disseminate the results of AFRA projects among the end-users;
- Adequacy of financial resources to be contributed by the recipient institution, including funds for overheads and in-kind contribution towards the implementation of the projects activities at national and regional levels;
- Evidence regarding the full commitment from the outset of the Project Coordinator and supporting staff. The commitment and dedication of the Project Coordinator and project staff are vital for the successful implementation of the AFRA project in the country and for the dissemination of innovations among end-users;
- Firm commitment of the recipient institution to share facilities and expertise with all participating institutions in the other AFRA countries;
- In accordance with Article VIII, Item 1, and with the consent of the meeting of AFRA Representatives, any Member State other than the participating Governments or appropriate regional or international organizations may be invited to contribute financially or otherwise to, or to participate in a cooperative project.