Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Grossi is in Rwanda for the inaugural Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2025), a major event underway in Kigali that brings together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from over 30 countries to advance nuclear solutions for sustainable development.

During the meeting, President Kagame and Grossi discussed the transformative potential of nuclear energy in driving economic growth across the continent and reviewed the significant strides Rwanda has made toward the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Micro Reactors. These technologies are part of Rwanda’s broader energy diversification plan, designed to boost electricity production while minimising environmental impact.

Also on Tuesday, President Kagame met with Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who is attending NEISA 2025. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and aligning on key continental priorities.

Rwanda is positioning itself to be among the few African nations with a nuclear-powered electricity plant by 2030, according to the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB). The country has been investing in nuclear energy for nearly seven years, including strategic partnerships with Russia, the United States, Germany, and Canada.

In 2024, Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding with Nano Nuclear Energy Inc., an American company, to deploy SMRs and microreactors. This followed a 2023 agreement with Dual Fluid Energy Inc., based in Germany and Canada, to test next-generation nuclear technologies on Rwandan soil.

The reactors Rwanda is pursuing require relatively small land footprints, 15 to 50 hectares, and are designed for high output without posing significant risks to nearby populations. These projects are expected to create up to 250 jobs across key operational categories.

RAEB CEO Dr. Fidel Ndahayo on Monday noted that Rwanda has already identified potential sites for the plant and is conducting detailed feasibility studies to evaluate environmental and safety factors.

“We now have a clear vision of our energy needs and how nuclear can address them,” he said.

Rwanda has also prioritised human capital development in this sector. Over 200 students and RAEB staff have been sent abroad for specialised training, with additional cohorts expected to follow in partnership with countries such as Hungary, China, and South Korea. Domestic academic institutions, including the University of Rwanda, are set to launch nuclear education programs to strengthen local expertise.

At the summit’s opening on Monday, Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente emphasised the urgency of scaling up nuclear solutions to meet Africa’s rising energy demand, particularly as the continent’s population is projected to surpass 3 billion within four decades.

With over 600 million Africans lacking access to electricity, Ngirente said nuclear energy is important as a sustainable, low-carbon solution capable of ensuring energy security and supporting climate resilience across the continent.

Minister of Infrastructure Dr. Jimmy Gasore highlighted that Rwanda expects its first SMR to be in place by 2026, with operational readiness by 2028. He stressed that smaller nuclear plants—producing up to 100 MW—are more practical for countries like Rwanda, both in terms of scale and safety.

NEISA 2025, organised in collaboration with international bodies such as the IAEA, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, World Nuclear Association, and Nuclear Energy Agency, aims to position nuclear power as a central pillar of Africa’s sustainable development and energy independence.

With current national capacity at 406.4 MW, Rwanda’s adoption of nuclear energy is expected to significantly boost the country’s electricity generation, supporting industrialisation, innovation, and inclusive growth.

The Ministerial Instructions, which came into force on April 23, 2025, were issued by the Ministry of Interior and are rooted in a 2022 Prime Minister’s Order.

Signed by Interior Minister Dr Vincent Biruta, the new rules aim to enhance public safety and ensure accountability in the handling of non-lethal guns and related accessories.

{{What qualifies as a non-lethal gun?
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Under the new regulations, a non-lethal gun is defined as a weapon designed to incapacitate a target while minimising the risk of death, permanent injury, or collateral damage.

This includes any portable barreled weapon capable of firing non-explosive projectiles, or which can be modified to do so. The regulations also apply to accessories such as cartridges, bullet components, propellant powder, and related materials.

Permitted uses of non-lethal guns are strictly limited to the incapacitation of domestic or wild animals, exhibition, sports and games, and other authorised activities approved by the competent authority.

{{A new permit system
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At the core of the new regulatory framework is a comprehensive permit system, with authority divided between the Minister of Interior and the Inspector General of Police. The Minister of Interior is tasked with issuing permits for activities such as the importation, exportation, transit, and trading of non-lethal guns and accessories.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police is responsible for permits related to possession, use, transfer, or borrowing of such items.

Anyone seeking a permit must submit a written application to the appropriate authority, accompanied by a range of supporting documents. These include an application letter clearly stating the type of permit being sought, a copy of the applicant’s identity card or passport proving they are at least 21 years of age, and—if applicable—a local business registration certificate.

Individual applicants are also required to present a medical certificate from an authorised doctor confirming balanced mental health.

In addition, applicants must provide documentation outlining the type and quantity of non-lethal guns and accessories they intend to acquire, evidence of a secure storage facility verified by a competent authority, and a curriculum vitae of personnel trained in handling such weapons.

If the application involves bringing non-lethal guns and accessories into Rwanda, a police clearance from the country of export and a usage or trading permit from the country of residence are also necessary. A tax clearance certificate is mandatory for all applicants.

Authorities are required to process permit applications within 30 days from the date of receipt.

Once issued, permits will specify key information such as the date and place of issuance, validity period, country of origin or destination, end-user, type and quantity of the non-lethal guns and accessories involved, their storage location, and, where applicable, the weapon’s serial number and factory details.

{{Reporting, storage, and inspections
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Permit holders are subject to rigorous oversight. They are required to submit a monthly report to the competent authority detailing how the non-lethal guns and accessories were used.

Any incident involving a non-lethal weapon must be reported immediately to the nearest police station. Furthermore, any imported, traded, or transferred items must be reported to the Rwanda National Police for record-keeping.

The instructions also impose strict storage requirements. Non-lethal guns and accessories must be stored securely and separately, and only managed by personnel with adequate training.

To ensure these standards are upheld, a joint inspection team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Rwanda National Police will carry out inspections at least every six months, or as frequently as necessary.

{{Suspension, revocation, and penalties
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The regulations lay out clear grounds for suspending or revoking permits. A permit may be suspended for up to six months if an applicant is found to have provided false or incomplete information, submitted forged documents, failed to comply with the instructions, or if national security concerns arise.

In cases where a permit has been suspended twice, or when the competent authority deems it necessary for security reasons, a full revocation may be issued.

In both cases, the Rwanda National Police is authorised to confiscate the non-lethal weapons and accessories in question. The affected permit holder will be notified in writing, with a clear explanation of the reasons for the suspension or revocation and the duration, where applicable.

Six-month transition period

Recognising that some individuals and entities already possess non-lethal firearms, the regulations include a six-month grace period for compliance. Anyone in possession of non-lethal guns or accessories prior to the signing of the new instructions must bring themselves into full compliance by October 23, 2025.

The financing, approved on June 25 by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors, will fund the second phase of the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities Project, locally known as Jya Mbere II—meaning “to progress” in Kinyarwanda.

The project is expected to directly benefit around 380,000 people, including 115,000 refugees and 265,000 members of host communities across six districts.

Building on the success of the first phase, Jya Mbere II aims to deepen inclusion and boost self-reliance among displaced populations while also easing pressure on surrounding communities.

The financing comes through the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), with $27.4 million of the total allocated from the Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR).

“Jya Mbere II reflects Rwanda’s leadership in delivering durable, inclusive solutions to displacement,” said Mathew Stephens, Lead Social Development Specialist at the World Bank. “We are building services that support integration, jobs that create dignity, and systems that strengthen resilience.”

Under the new phase, the government plans to expand access to education, healthcare, water, roads, and marketplaces, all built to meet national and climate-resilient standards. It is expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs, particularly through labour-based public works and support for small businesses, with specific targets to ensure the inclusion of women and youth.

Key investments include road rehabilitation in Gatsibo and Kirehe districts to improve market access, as well as new or upgraded schools and health facilities to integrate refugees into national systems and ease overcrowding. The project will also establish marketplaces and production centres to boost local trade and job creation.

In addition, a “graduation programme” will support vulnerable households with training, productive assets, and access to financial services to foster long-term economic independence.

“Rwanda’s development-focused approach to refugee management is setting a standard,” said Sahr Kpundeh, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda. “Phase II of this project moves beyond service access to deepening economic inclusion and climate resilience for thousands of families.”

To enhance community resilience against climate-related shocks, Jya Mbere II will incorporate infrastructure such as flood mitigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and landslide protection in areas like Karongi, Nyamagabe, and Kirehe.

The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) will lead the project’s implementation in collaboration with local governments, the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), the Business Development Fund (BDF), and financial institutions. Community members—including refugees—will also take part in planning and execution through participatory processes.

Aligned with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and the upcoming Refugee Sustainable Graduation Strategy (2025–2030), the initiative supports global efforts under the Global Compact on Refugees to integrate displaced populations into national development plans.

In a statement released on Monday, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka described the airstrike as an act of “unspeakable barbarity,” claiming it was a deliberate and premeditated attack targeting a population already traumatised by years of conflict.

The group stated that the aircraft was transporting food, medicine, and other essential supplies intended for civilians in the embattled region of Minembwe.

“This heinous crime… extended beyond human casualties; it also destroyed essential supplies including medicines,” the statement read. “It reduced to ashes food rations intended for a disaster-stricken population traumatised by violence orchestrated by the Kinshasa regime since April 2017.”

The rebel group went on to accuse the Congolese government of using the strike as part of a broader ethnic cleansing campaign against the Banyamulenge community, an ethnic minority long targeted in eastern DRC’s complex conflicts.

AFC/M23 stated that the bombing was a continuation of the regime’s “vile” efforts to “condemn [the Banyamulenge] to protracted suffering while fueling an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Minembwe.”

In addition to the bombing, the statement condemned coordinated attacks on civilians in several other areas including Kanyola, Kabare, Kigogo, Kadasomwa, and Nyabiondo. The group blamed the Congolese army and allied forces, including the Burundi National Defence Forces (FNDB), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and local militia Wazalendo, for the escalating violence.

“These targeted massacres of our compatriots Banyamulenge will not go unpunished and must stop immediately,” the communiqué concluded.

There has been no immediate response from the Congolese government regarding the allegations.

The incident threatens to unravel the fragile peace process initiated in Qatar in recent months, where Congolese officials and representatives of the rebel coalition had agreed to a ceasefire aimed at ending years of conflict in the eastern part of the country.

The AFC/M23, which controls large swathes of territory in eastern DRC following fierce battles earlier this year, now claims that the Kinshasa regime is in “flagrant, cynical, and repeated” violation of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the attack also comes just days after the Congolese government signed a historic peace deal with Rwanda aimed at ending a conflict that has lasted for three decades, exacerbated by the Kinshasa administration’s continued collaboration with the FDLR militia, which is linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Sources in Kinshasa indicate that the court has already issued a formal notice to Mutamba, informing him that he must appear on that date.

Mutamba is facing charges of embezzling $19 million that had been allocated for the construction of the Kisangani prison in Tshopo Province.

The court’s decision to proceed with the trial follows a complaint filed by the Prosecutor General, Firmin Mvonde, after Parliament granted permission to continue legal proceedings against Mutamba.

When Mutamba appeared before the parliamentary commission handling his case, he admitted that the $19 million had gone missing, explaining that the funds had been diverted to the account of a fictitious company.

At the time, he apologised but claimed that individuals like Prosecutor Mvonde and Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka were targeting him in retaliation for the judicial reforms he had initiated.