Rwanda has unveiled plans to invest up to six billion dollars in nuclear power plants as part of an ambitious strategy to secure reliable electricity and accelerate long term economic development, according to President Paul Kagame.
The announcement was made during a global nuclear energy summit in Paris hosted by Emmanuel Macron, where leaders, regulators and industry executives gathered to discuss the growing role of nuclear energy in addressing global power shortages and climate challenges.
Speaking at the summit, Kagame emphasised that expanding electricity generation is critical for Rwanda’s development ambitions, particularly as the country seeks to transform its economy and reach high income status by 2050.
“Rwanda aims to be a high income country by 2050. That requires abundant electricity, and that is why we have decided to make nuclear central to our strategy,” the Rwandan president said.
The government intends to deploy small modular reactors, often referred to as SMRs, as the core technology behind the planned nuclear programme. These reactors are considered a newer generation of nuclear technology designed to be smaller, more flexible and easier to deploy than traditional nuclear power plants.
Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that require vast infrastructure and large power grids, SMRs can operate on smaller sites and generate power in modular units, making them particularly suitable for countries with emerging electricity systems.
Rwanda hopes to have its first nuclear power plant operational around 2030, with the long term goal of expanding electricity generation capacity to roughly five gigawatts by 2050. Authorities say this level of energy production will be necessary to support industrial expansion, digital infrastructure and rising domestic demand.
Energy demand across Africa has been rising rapidly as economies grow, urbanisation accelerates and governments invest in industrialisation. Rwanda has made notable progress in expanding electricity access in recent years through projects involving hydropower, solar energy and methane gas extracted from Lake Kivu.
However, officials say those sources alone may not provide the reliable baseload electricity required to power energy intensive sectors such as manufacturing, mineral processing and data centres.
Nuclear energy, Kagame argued, could deliver the constant and stable electricity supply needed to support these industries while also helping countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Preparations for Rwanda’s nuclear programme have been underway for several years. The government established the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board to oversee nuclear development and has been working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen safety regulations, technical capacity and oversight systems.
According to officials, hundreds of Rwandan students and engineers have already received training in nuclear science and engineering as part of efforts to build a domestic workforce capable of operating and regulating the industry.
The government aims to develop a specialised workforce of around 230 professionals by 2028 to support the sector’s technical and regulatory needs.
A recent Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded that Rwanda has made significant progress in establishing the institutional and regulatory foundations required to pursue nuclear energy development. The review allows the country to move forward to the next stage under the agency’s nuclear infrastructure milestone framework.
Despite the progress, financing remains one of the largest hurdles facing the project. Nuclear power plants require significant upfront investment and complex financing structures, which have historically made them difficult for developing countries to fund.
Kagame used the summit to call on international financial institutions to expand support for nuclear energy projects in developing nations. He noted that the World Bank has recently begun reconsidering its long standing restrictions on financing nuclear energy following renewed global debate over clean energy solutions.
He urged development banks and investors to create financing models that would allow emerging economies to access capital for nuclear infrastructure while maintaining strong safety and regulatory standards.
Rwanda has also begun building partnerships with international technology companies to advance the project. In 2023, the government signed an agreement with Dual Fluid Energy Inc., a nuclear technology company registered in Germany and Canada, to test advanced nuclear reactor technology within the country.
Authorities have also been exploring cooperation with firms and institutions from the Russia and the United States to develop small modular reactor systems suited to Rwanda’s power grid.
Supporters argue that nuclear power could play a major role in Africa’s energy transition by delivering reliable, low carbon electricity while supporting industrial development.
According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear power produces significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuel based electricity generation, making it a potential tool for countries seeking both economic growth and climate resilience.
As part of its broader nuclear ambitions, Rwanda will also host the 2026 Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa in Kigali, bringing together governments, investors and energy experts to explore the future of nuclear technology on the continent.
Kagame said the initiative demonstrates Rwanda’s determination to take a leadership role in Africa’s energy transformation.
“Nuclear energy is not too complex or risky for developing countries,” he said, adding that Rwanda is ready to work with international partners to ensure the project becomes a reality.
