Rwandan industries could secure contracts in upcoming nuclear power projects, as the government moves to integrate domestic firms into the country’s nuclear value chain. This was highlighted on Tuesday, February 24, during an awareness-raising workshop on industrial participation in the country’s nuclear power project, convened by the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda’s plan to set up 110 MW nuclear power plants RAEB Chief Executive Fidele Ndahayo said the nuclear programme is designed to strengthen domestic industries beyond energy production. He said a well-designed nuclear programme could accelerate industrial growth, technological advancement, and private sector expansion. Drawing lessons from global experiences, he noted that industrial localisation is a deliberate policy objective in countries with successful nuclear programmes. “Industrial localisation means ensuring that domestic firms, SMEs, engineers, technicians, and service providers participate meaningfully across the nuclear value chain, from construction and civil works to logistics, manufacturing, engineering services, and long-term operations,” Ndahayo said. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda is betting on nuclear energy for socioeconomic growth Preliminary assessments by RAEB indicate that the private sector already has strengths in construction, civil engineering, manufacturing, transport and logistics, as well as professional and technical services. “What remains limited, however, is awareness of nuclear supply chain requirements, particularly safety, quality management systems, certification standards, and regulatory compliance,” he said. He further noted that small modular reactors (SMRs), which Rwanda is exploring, offer local companies opportunities in construction, installation, and long-term maintenance, provided they build capacity and meet international standards. ALSO READ: Rwanda looks to nuclear energy through small modular reactors According to Antoine Kajangwe, the Permanent Secretary at MINICOM, one of the biggest challenges for Rwanda’s industrial competitiveness today is the high cost of electricity and unreliable supply. “Being able to set up small modular nuclear reactors can add significant electricity to the national grid, making power more available and ideally more affordable,” he said. Kajangwe added that local industries could also support the nuclear programme by providing materials and services, from construction and civil works to mechanical works. Andre Mold, Director of the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa at UNECA, said that manufacturing currently accounts for only 8–9 per cent of Rwanda’s GDP, with around 60 percent of industrial output in food and beverages. “The project on having an SMR reactor here could catalyse the development of the industrial sector and make it stronger and more diverse than it currently is,” he said. Mold added that localisation is key to maximising benefits, allowing industries to provide value-added services for the nuclear project, from cabling to cement production. Joel Mbabazi, Head of the Industry Cluster at the Private Sector Federation (PSF), said industries have long struggled with high electricity costs, particularly during peak hours between 5pm and 11pm when tariffs were even higher. “But once this nuclear power plant becomes operational, many things are expected to change in our production processes and we believe electricity will become more affordable, especially considering that Rwanda currently has some of the highest electricity prices in the region,” he said.
