Rwanda strengthens commitment to nuclear energy development

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente met nuclear scientists and industry experts on December 17, in a session led by Lassina Zerbo, the Chairman of Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB). Their meeting followed a two-day ministerial roundtable on Financing Africa’s Nuclear Energy Future held in Kigali. The discussions underscored Rwanda's commitment to advancing its nuclear energy programme as a critical solution to meet the country’s growing energy needs. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s nuclear technology plans: benefits vs challenges Zerbo noted the importance of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), describing them as scalable, clean, and efficient technologies suited to Rwanda's energy landscape. “Today's discussions focused on nuclear power plants, particularly SMRs, which offer safer, modular, and clean energy solutions adaptable to Rwanda’s context,” he explained. The meeting convened international and regional stakeholders, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Nuclear Energy Agency in France, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Zerbo underscored the pivotal role energy plays in driving Rwanda’s socioeconomic transformation. “We often talk about electricity, but what we truly need is energy to drive industrialisation. Without sufficient energy, we cannot attract industries or sustain manufacturing.” He referenced a past challenge where a glass factory failed to establish operations in Rwanda due to limited energy capacity. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda is updating its energy policy “This is why technologies like SMRs are vital. They provide reliable, clean, and secure energy to support Rwanda’s development goals,” he noted, stressing that Rwanda has the potential to lead Africa’s nuclear energy journey, guided by President Paul Kagame’s vision. “Rwanda’s leadership, discipline, and stability offer a strong foundation to pilot nuclear energy development on the continent. Civil society must understand that nuclear energy is about development, not weapons. Public support and a strong regulatory framework are essential for success.” Addressing financing challenges The Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, emphasised that financing was a central theme during the ministerial roundtable, particularly addressing financial institutions' hesitations regarding perceived risks of nuclear energy investments. “As Africans, we analysed these risks and explored strategies to mitigate them. Nuclear energy is clean and climate-friendly, this is crucial as we face the growing challenges of climate change,” Gasore said. He noted Rwanda’s energy ambitions, stressing the need for transformative solutions beyond current resources. ALSO READ: Atomic energy boss talks progress towards nuclear energy solutions in Rwanda “In the next 25 years, Rwanda will need more than ten times the electricity we have today. Hydropower and other existing resources will not meet this demand alone. Nuclear energy is a viable solution to secure our energy future,” he said. Gasore also emphasised Rwanda’s goal to start utilising nuclear energy within the next decade. “We are assessing technologies suitable for Rwanda, such as SMRs, which are already available in some markets and advancing in development elsewhere.” Broader benefits of nuclear energy Gasore emphasised that nuclear energy would offer significant benefits beyond electricity generation. These include contributing to industrialisation and job creation through employment opportunities in plant construction, operation, and maintenance. In addition to its role in energy, nuclear technology will play a key role in advancing healthcare, particularly in cancer treatment. “We already have a hospital that utilises nuclear technology for treatment,” Gasore said. Nuclear energy also holds promise for improving agricultural preservation, enhancing produce storage, and ensuring better export quality, he said. Since 2019, Rwanda has made capacity building a priority, with more than 300 students trained in nuclear energy programmes across Russia, Europe, and the United States. “Nuclear energy is a skill-intensive sector. Partnerships with experienced countries and specialised training are essential,” Gasore explained. Laying the groundwork for Rwanda’s nuclear future While Rwanda has not begun construction of its first nuclear plant, the government is laying the necessary foundation. “We are conducting feasibility studies, designing regulatory frameworks, and building institutions to ensure the highest safety standards,” the minister added, also noting ongoing partnerships with key international stakeholders, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, which co-hosted the Kigali roundtable. “We are laying a solid foundation to ensure Rwanda is ready for nuclear energy development,” Gasore said.

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Rwanda strengthens commitment to nuclear energy development