AKIPRESS.COM - Chinese media confirmed Tuesday the Asian country had signed a framework agreement with Sudan to build the African nation's first nuclear reactor, according to Deutsche Welle.

The deal had been signed during a three-day visit to Sudan by China's top energy official, Nur Bekri.

The reports do not specify what kind of reactor would be built in Sudan, but Reuters speculated it might be a Hualong 1 as currently promoted by China on overseas markets.

Bloomberg said the reactor would be built by China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC).

With its current power capacity of little over 3,000 megawatts, nuclear energy is set to help Sudan meet its growing demand.

CNNC is also planning to build reactors in Argentina and Pakistan, while China General Nuclear Power Corp. is focusing on its own project in Kenya.