Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, France, on Tuesday, President Kagame said Rwanda’s long-term ambition to become a high-income country by 2050 requires a reliable and abundant electricity supply. He noted that nuclear energy will play a central role in diversifying the country’s energy mix and providing the stability needed for sustained economic transformation.
According to the Head of State, nuclear power offers Rwanda a dependable source of electricity that can support industrial expansion while helping reduce carbon emissions.
“We have decided to make nuclear central to our strategy,” Kagame said. “It will diversify our energy mix while providing the stability required for industrial growth and long-term transformation.”
The president highlighted the importance of building strong institutions, regulatory systems and a skilled workforce to support Rwanda’s nuclear ambitions. He praised the support provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), led by Director General Rafael Grossi, in helping strengthen the country’s nuclear governance framework.
Rwanda has already made progress in developing human capital for the sector. Kagame noted that hundreds of Rwandans have been trained in nuclear science and engineering through partnerships with leading international institutions. The University of Rwanda has also introduced a new academic programme in nuclear science to build local expertise.
Recently, the IAEA conducted an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review in Rwanda and confirmed progress across key pillars required to establish a nuclear energy programme.
“Our country is prepared to proceed through the agency’s milestone approach to the next stage,” he revealed.
Notably, Rwanda plans to establish a nuclear research centre in collaboration with Russia. The centre will focus on producing radioactive materials for cancer diagnosis and treatment, improving agriculture through radiation technologies, and advancing industrial testing methods.
Additionally, Rwanda is preparing to host Africa’s first demonstration of a Dual Fluid nuclear reactor and is exploring small modular reactor (SMR) technology to meet the country’s growing energy demands sustainably.
In his remarks, President Kagame emphasised the growing potential of emerging nuclear technologies for Africa. In particular, he said SMRs are well-suited to countries with smaller electricity grids and could allow African nations to become early adopters of advanced nuclear systems.
“I’m confident that Africa will emerge as one of the most important global markets for SMRs in the years ahead,” he said.
The president called for stronger international cooperation in three key areas: financing, technology partnerships and clear regulatory frameworks. He noted that nuclear energy projects often require specialised financing models that development banks are still unfamiliar with.
Kagame welcomed recent shifts in international policy, including the World Bank’s decision to lift its long-standing ban on financing nuclear power projects. He also referenced commitments made during COP28, encouraging international financial institutions to include nuclear energy in their portfolios.
“Now is the time to work together to make this shift a reality in Africa,” he said.
Looking ahead, Rwanda is preparing to host the 2026 Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NESA) in Kigali this May. Kagame said the summit will bring together leaders from governments, financial institutions and the nuclear industry to advance discussions on Africa’s nuclear future.
He extended an invitation to global partners to attend the event and support Rwanda’s efforts to harness nuclear energy for development.
“Rwanda is determined to do what it takes to power our development with nuclear energy,” Kagame said. “We look forward to you being part of this journey.”
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