African leaders push for nuclear energy to spur industrial growth

African leaders have said the continent’s long-term economic transformation will depend on addressing its energy gap, with nuclear power emerging as a key driver of industrialisation, digital expansion and future competitiveness. ALSO READ: Kagame, Suluhu, Gnassingbé attend nuclear energy summit Speaking in Kigali at the opening of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026) on Tuesday, May 19, President Paul Kagame said Africa’s ability to address its energy challenges will determine how quickly its economies can grow and compete globally. He noted that Rwanda has made progress in developing nuclear capacity, including completing the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Phase One Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review. He said the country aims to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s. “For Africa, energy is not simply a development issue; it is the foundation of industrial growth and competitiveness. Modern manufacturing, mineral processing, digital infrastructure and advanced healthcare all depend on reliable power,” he said. Kagame also pointed to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and data-driven industries, warning that they will sharply increase electricity demand. “Countries that cannot meet this demand will struggle to compete. This is why Rwanda considers nuclear energy a critical component of Africa’s long-term transformation.” The President said small modular reactors (SMRs) offer a practical pathway for African countries due to their flexibility and lower deployment costs, but warned that fragmented efforts across the continent would slow progress. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a generating capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, around one-third of the output of conventional nuclear power plants, making them more flexible and potentially easier to deploy. ALSO READ: Rwanda: What are small modular reactors “If countries work in isolation, progress will be slow and far more costly. Cooperation on regulation, financing and regional power integration is essential.” “We must work to strengthen regulation, ensure consistency and accountability in order to build confidence and attract long-term capital,” Kagame added. Kagame also called for stronger regulatory systems to build investor confidence and attract long-term capital, noting that nuclear energy is increasingly being recognised within the global clean energy transition. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said financing remains one of the biggest barriers to nuclear development in Africa, calling for innovative and blended financing models. “Africa needs innovative financing mechanisms, blending financing models and risk-sharing arrangements capable of making nuclear projects bankable and accessible,” Suluhu said. She stressed the importance of strong regulatory preparedness, institutional capacity, and public awareness to ensure safe and responsible use of nuclear technology. “Nuclear energy should not be viewed as competing with renewable energy, but rather complementing a broader effort to build resilient and reliable energy systems.” Togo’s President of the Council of Ministers, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, said nearly half of Africans still lack access to reliable electricity, warning that rising population growth, urbanisation, and digital transformation will further strain supply. He said renewable energy alone cannot meet future demand, particularly for energy-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence, data centres, and manufacturing that require stable baseload power. Gnassingbé described small modular reactors and micro-reactors as a viable solution, noting that global financial institutions are increasingly recognising nuclear energy as part of the clean energy transition. “African nuclear energy will not be imported. It will be designed, operated, and governed by Africans for Africans,” he said. He added that Africa must establish a unified financing framework involving development banks, sovereign wealth funds, and private investors to turn nuclear energy ambitions into implementable projects.

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African leaders push for nuclear energy to spur industrial growth