Rwanda is making progress toward launching a civil nuclear energy program, with an international review confirming that the country is strengthening the institutional and regulatory foundations needed to introduce nuclear power into its energy mix.
An assessment mission by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded that Rwanda has taken significant steps toward preparing for nuclear energy development, according to findings published on March 10 following an infrastructure review conducted in Kigali earlier in the month.
The mission, known as the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR), evaluated Rwanda’s readiness across 19 key areas required for establishing a nuclear power program. These include the legal and regulatory framework, nuclear safety and security, radioactive waste management, emergency preparedness, and human resource development.
IAEA experts carried out the assessment between March 2 and March 9 at the request of the Rwandan government. In its report, the agency highlighted what it described as “strong commitment from the government” to integrate nuclear energy into the country’s long-term power strategy.
Rwanda plans to rely primarily on small modular reactors (SMRs), a new generation of compact nuclear reactors designed to be more flexible and cost-effective than traditional large-scale nuclear plants. Officials see SMRs as a viable solution to diversify the country’s electricity supply, which currently relies heavily on hydropower.
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Authorities expect electricity demand to grow significantly in the coming decades as Rwanda expands industrial activity, digital infrastructure, and urban development. Hydropower presently dominates the national energy mix, making the system vulnerable to climate variability and seasonal water levels.
The IAEA review acknowledged progress in building institutional coordination and preparing systems to manage nuclear and radiological emergencies. However, the agency also issued several recommendations aimed at strengthening Rwanda’s readiness.
Among them, experts urged the government to finalize its nuclear legal framework and further integrate nuclear power into its national energy strategy. The review team also advised Rwanda to prepare a detailed national report to guide decision-making on the development of nuclear power facilities.
Rwanda is implementing its nuclear program under an IAEA roadmap designed to guide countries seeking to introduce nuclear energy safely and responsibly. The initiative is coordinated by the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB), the national body responsible for overseeing nuclear-related activities and policy development.
Progress in Rwanda’s nuclear ambitions coincided with the World Nuclear Energy Summit 2026 held in Paris on March 10, where global leaders and industry experts discussed the role of nuclear power in the energy transition.
Speaking during the event, Paul Kagame reiterated Rwanda’s interest in nuclear technology as a tool to support sustainable economic growth and long-term energy security.
Rwanda’s nuclear initiative has been developing for several years. In 2018, Kigali signed a cooperation agreement with Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, to collaborate on civil nuclear development. The partnership includes training Rwandan specialists, developing nuclear infrastructure, and exploring potential nuclear power projects.
The agreement was formally ratified by Rwanda’s parliament in 2020, providing a legal basis for implementing the planned cooperation.
More recently, Rwanda broadened its technological partnerships in the sector. In September 2023, the government signed an agreement with the German company Dual Fluid to build an experimental reactor designed to test the company’s advanced nuclear technology.
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The project will explore a new reactor concept known as “Dual Fluid,” an innovative design still under development that aims to improve efficiency and safety in nuclear energy production.
According to RAEB President Fidele Ndahayo, Rwanda aims to commission its first nuclear power unit in the early 2030s. “We are working with the objective of having a first unit producing electricity in Rwanda at the beginning of the 2030s,” he said.
While nuclear energy projects typically require extensive preparation, regulatory oversight, and financing, Rwanda’s efforts reflect a broader trend among African countries exploring nuclear power as a long-term solution to rising electricity demand.
For Kigali, the goal is clear: diversify its energy mix, strengthen energy security, and position nuclear power as a strategic component of its future electricity system
