Rwanda is set to host the first-ever Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa from June 30 to July 1, which will bring together global policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders to discuss the role of advanced nuclear technologies in addressing the continent’s energy needs. The summit comes at a time when the country is advancing its plans to build its first nuclear power plant within the next five to eight years, positioning itself as a pioneer in deploying Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) on the continent. For context, Rwanda is opting for SMRs with an output of less than 300 megawatt capacity. One megawatt would suffice for at least 3000 residential homes. At the same time, 1 megawatt capacity would cost between ($2-$3 million. In an exclusive interview, The New Times, Edwin Ashimwe caught up with the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) Chairman, Dr. Lassina Zerbo, who shared insights on expectations from the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa, Rwanda’s nuclear energy plans, and the current status from setting up a nuclear power plant in the country. Excerpts, Rwanda is hosting a major global summit on nuclear energy innovation. What does this mean for the country and the continent? The Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa is the first of its kind. Rwanda should be proud of that because we are trying to position the country as a blueprint for the continent in developing and implementing small modular reactor technology. President Kagame's vision and leadership in deciding to go straight for the small modular reactor are paying off in that respect because we're bringing people together to reflect on the technology. Is this a new technology in the nuclear energy solutions space? It’s not a new technology, by the way. I think we've had this technology working for decades, particularly with some light water reactors, as we call them. But there is a lot of innovation going into making small modular reactors and microreactors much safer and more secure, and hence better addressing the potential proliferation issues that many are worried about when we talk about nuclear energy. What are some top agenda points or discussions that will shape this summit? If I take it in the context of the Africans who will be participating, what we are aiming at is to speak with one voice — to present a united front for the continent. We want to talk about our energy needs and be at the forefront of any technical and innovative discussions regarding small modular reactors. We are welcoming experts and policymakers from around the world. We have people coming from as far as Sydney, Australia, as well as from the US, UK, Europe, among others. We also intend to create a platform for partnerships, for technical exchanges, and a conducive platform for business. Industry experts can reflect on the different financing models that would benefit Africa in developing and implementing its nuclear energy ambitions. And how does Rwanda come into the picture? When you bring a summit of this kind to Rwanda, you position the country on the map in relation to an issue that has not been a regular topic of discussion on the continent. In leading on nuclear energy — and specifically on SMRs in the region — Rwanda has consistently sent students over the past five years to be trained in nuclear science and technology abroad. We're talking about countries like China, Korea, Russia, and Hungary, among others. We’re benefiting from that now, because we are building a critical mass of human capital that is necessary for the implementation and deployment of nuclear power plants and nuclear science and technology in the country. What unique perspective is Rwanda bringing to the global stage? It’s a nascent sector in Rwanda, but it’s not something that was only thought of recently. For it to be considered “nascent,” it means a lot has already happened over the past five years. For instance, at one point, factories were trying to establish themselves in the context of industrializing the country — like a glass factory, for example — but there wasn’t sufficient energy to attract those developers. That prompted the government to ask: “Where do we get the energy for our growing population and rising energy needs?” Against that background of energy insecurity — or energy poverty — we had to devise ways to address it. But there’s also the question: can we offset it with just renewable energy? That’s how nuclear energy came into play. Some might say, “But Rwanda is a small country. Why would Rwanda go for nuclear energy? We can cite many small countries around the world that already have nuclear energy, even conventional plants. I think it’s the right decision for a country that is attracting a lot of investors and people. People want to go where there is stability. And if more and more people come to Rwanda, the energy demand will continue to grow exponentially. To meet that, renewable energy alone won’t be enough. Hydro is there, but we’re bringing nuclear energy not to replace renewables, but to complement the energy mix that the country needs for development and industrialization. And someone might argue: if that’s the case, why not go for a traditional nuclear plant? Why are we betting on SMRs? That’s a good point. But building a conventional nuclear power plant — I don’t think our infrastructure or grid is ready to absorb that level of gigawatt deployment. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), in that sense, are faster and easier to integrate into the grid we have. And it's not just Rwanda — SMRs would benefit a continent like Africa. You have laid out plans to set up an operational nuclear power plant by 2030. How feasible is that timeframe? We are moving — pulling up our socks — to try and see how feasible that would be. Let’s put it this way: it will require a lot of discipline, a lot of human capital, but also full engagement in the process. We need to speak with one voice and ensure that civil society and policymakers accompany this process, which seems to be the case in Rwanda, thanks to the discipline and the fact that, I perceive that here, everyone moves in the same direction. So I’d say the probability is a little more than 50 percent. But we also have to be optimistic. Many question the financial feasibility of nuclear power in developing economies. What makes the case viable in Rwanda? Look, let me put it this way: I have always argued that we should not mix politics with science. Science goes with policy. People might not always agree, but if science accompanies the policies of individual countries, I think we can go far. Why would a country like Rwanda not opt for nuclear energy if there’s no other way to satisfy the energy demand of its population, meet its development and industrialization needs, and achieve its innovation targets? For instance, Rwanda's ambition is to have data centers to power the artificial intelligence framework that is emerging in the country. But where do you get the power for that? If you want to wait for a conventional plant, that would take a much longer time, from regulation to licensing to construction. I think we’d rather go for smaller microreactors that are built abroad, assembled on-site, and then deployed quickly. They're also more suitable for the grid and infrastructure we have at this point. And globally, we need to decarbonize. There is no other way to do it without including a significant share of nuclear energy in the energy mix — for countries, the continent, and the world. Are there plans for financing mechanisms or partnerships with global institutions? Financing mechanisms are evolving. A few years ago, when we asked some of our regional financial institutions to move with us in the process of implementing or deploying a nuclear power plant, they said, “No, that’s not part of our portfolio.” But recently, the World Bank lifted its ban on financing nuclear energy. We can expect more African financial institutions to follow suit. And I’ll mention one particularly innovative mechanism: tokenization. It’s already being implemented in the United Arab Emirates. Tokenization means that if Rwanda were to say, “We have a certified deposit of uranium,” it could assign value to that deposit. That value can be tokenized — converted into digital financial assets — and then used to finance infrastructure or even the nuclear energy program. That’s what the UAE is doing, and it’s certainly something our countries can consider. While financing remains a major challenge, energy poverty across Africa is also alarming. In what ways do you see SMRs solving this? Simply put, small modular reactors and microreactors are the fastest way to address our energy insecurity — and to achieve energy sovereignty, which is crucial for tackling energy poverty. Take renewable energy. Electrification in rural areas in many African countries is typically for basic needs only. But if you can inject energy that is stable and consistent for years, why not go for that? That’s what nuclear brings to the table. What specific challenges do African nations face in adopting such technologies, and how can they be overcome? Mainly, the regulatory framework has been too cumbersome for countries like ours. We’ve had a lack of expertise and insufficient human capital to accompany a process that is quite stringent. There are also proliferation-related regulations that some see as barriers for countries on the continent. All this has made the process too lengthy. In Rwanda’s context, what milestones have been achieved so far? Human capital development stands out. Rwanda is probably the only country that has, over the past five years, steadily sent students abroad to be trained in nuclear engineering and science, under a government framework. Today, we have a critical mass of nuclear engineers and scientists, and probably more than any other country on the continent at this stage. In my country (Burkina Faso), as many others, students passionate about this field often have to fund their studies. But if there were consistent, government-led training programs across Africa, more countries would be ready to absorb this technology and attract investment. If by next year we have 400 nuclear scientists in Rwanda, and the country wants to fast-track deployment, Rwanda will be fertile ground for it. What would success look like in the next 5–10 years for Rwanda in this space? We are working to ensure we have a strong chance of meeting the government’s vision of having a nuclear power plant between 2030 and 2034. That’s what we’re aiming for. Human capital is in development. And I believe we now have a good critical mass. More importantly, we must speak with one voice, move together in the same direction, and work with the same energy to implement this vision within the set timeframe. Every year, more than 50 students are trained in this sector.
