Rwanda has signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to strengthen cooperation on integrating nuclear energy into the country’s energy mix, including the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The agreement was signed by the Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, and Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA. ALSO READ: Why Africa is turning to small modular reactors for its nuclear future The partnership is expected to support Rwanda in key areas including energy planning, infrastructure development, workforce training, stakeholder engagement, financing, and capacity building as the country moves forward with preparations for nuclear power deployment. The agreement comes as Rwanda, during the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026) on May 19, received an IAEA report confirming that the country is moving to Phase Two of its nuclear power programme. Phase Two involves preparatory work ahead of the contracting and construction of a nuclear power plant following a formal government decision to proceed with nuclear energy development. ALSO READ: What IAEA’s review means for Rwanda’s nuclear ambitions The phase also includes establishing key institutions, strengthening human resource capacity, and putting in place the legal and regulatory frameworks required to support nuclear power development. Rwanda concluded Phase One of the programme in March this year following an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission conducted by the IAEA. The mission assessed the country’s preparedness to embark on a nuclear power programme and identified areas requiring further development. The INIR mission is intended to help countries identify gaps, receive technical guidance, and follow a structured process when considering the introduction of nuclear energy. According to the IAEA, Phase One focuses on considerations before a decision is taken to launch a nuclear power programme, including conducting pre-feasibility studies to help establish a national position on why nuclear energy is needed as part of a country’s long-term energy strategy. Experts have indicated that Small Modular Reactors are being considered because they are more flexible, require less land, and involve lower upfront investment compared to conventional nuclear power plants, making them more suitable for emerging economies such as Rwanda.
