Entering the nuclear energy race: A strategic shift in Rwanda

Written by: Mohammed Omran

In a move reflecting a strategic shift in the future of energy in the African continent, Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced that his country is moving towards starting the development of nuclear energy technologies by the early 2030s, as part of an ambitious vision aimed at enhancing energy security and supporting the path of comprehensive development in Rwanda.

Kagame outlines Rwanda's plan for developing nuclear energy

This announcement came during an international nuclear energy conference in the capital, Kigali, where African interest has grown in finding more stable energy sources capable of keeping pace with the demands of rapid economic and technological growth.

The conference was attended by a number of high-level African leaders, including Samia Suluhu Hassan and Faure Esozimna Gnassingbé.

In his address during the two-day summit that brought together African leaders, policymakers and global energy stakeholders, Kagame said Rwanda’s long-term goal is to integrate nuclear power into its national development strategy as part of broader efforts to boost electricity supplies, healthcare systems and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

He continued: “By the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century, we will have started working on developing nuclear energy,” describing this ambition as part of Rwanda’s quest to obtain reliable and diversified energy sources.

Kagame stressed that nuclear power can play a transformative role in Africa’s development, particularly in expanding access to stable electricity, improving healthcare systems, and supporting the continent’s growing technological ambitions.

Nuclear energy in Rwanda

He explained that progress in this sector will depend on stronger cooperation between African countries, private sector investors and scientific institutions, adding: “To achieve these goals, it is essential to have private investments, institutional cooperation and a sustainable, long-term approach that ensures efficiency and accountability.”.

He warned that countries that fail to engage in emerging energy cooperation frameworks risk falling behind economically and missing out on the benefits of shared technological progress.

He also pointed to the development of small modular nuclear reactors as a possible path for African countries, saying that such technologies could make nuclear power more accessible and adaptable to national grids in the future.

Kagame reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to advance peaceful nuclear energy applications, stressing that the goal is to support development, not military capabilities.

The conference theme, “Advancing Africa’s Future: Transforming Nuclear Energy Development into an Investable Project,” reflects the growing interest in nuclear power as part of the continent’s broader energy transition.

Other prominent figures in attendance included Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Zene, along with representatives from governments and major research institutions.

Expanding access to electricity

Analysts say the discussions in Kigali highlight a wider shift across Africa as governments seek to expand access to electricity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and prepare for rapid population growth.

By 2050, Africa is expected to make up a much larger proportion of the world's population, increasing the pressure on energy systems across the continent.

It is worth noting that Rwanda's inclusion in a growing list of African countries exploring nuclear energy is part of long-term strategies to secure reliable power and support industrial growth.