The FNRBA was established to strengthen and harmonise radiation protection practice as well as nuclear safety and security regulatory framework in Africa. It also serves as an internationally recognised Forum for the exchange of regulatory information, expertise and experience especially among nuclear regulatory bodies in the continent. The Forum is therefore a platform for African regional cooperation in radiological protection and nuclear safety in which regional initiatives can be coordinated to the mutual benefit of all countries in Africa.
The election was at the official launch of the Forum recently in Pretoria, South Africa, attended by 28 nuclear regulatory bodies in Africa and four other bodies including the United Nations nuclear regulatory body - the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA - the United States’ nuclear regulatory body, USNRC, and regional regulatory networks from Europe - the European ALARA Network of Regulators and Asian- ASN.
Nuclear sources emitting ionizing radiation have wide applications in healthcare, petroleum industry, manufacturing, electricity generation, agriculture and water resources, mining, education and research. The FNRBA is therefore seen as a Forum for fostering regional cooperation in all these areas. By this election, Prof. Shamsideen Elegba, the Director-General of NNRA, becomes the first Chairperson of FNRBA.