Rwanda and Tanzania have signed a new agreement to expand cooperation in energy development, as both countries accelerate efforts to strengthen electricity generation, diversify energy sources and improve regional integration.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on the sidelines of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa in Kigali following talks between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Officials said the agreement covers collaboration in energy infrastructure, renewable energy, institutional capacity building and cross-border electricity projects.
The deal reflects growing economic and strategic ties between the two East African nations, particularly in infrastructure and energy connectivity.
Rwanda has been pursuing an ambitious energy diversification strategy aimed at improving electricity access and reducing dependence on traditional power sources. The country had installed electricity generation capacity of about 406 megawatts in 2024.
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Its energy mix increasingly relies on hydropower, solar generation and methane gas extraction from Lake Kivu, which already contributes significantly to the national grid.
Rwanda is also exploring the potential use of small modular nuclear reactors as part of its long-term energy security strategy, amid growing interest among African countries in alternative low-carbon power sources.
The Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa), hosted in Kigali, brought together policymakers and energy stakeholders to discuss nuclear technology, energy transition strategies and regional cooperation.
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Tanzania, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a regional energy hub by leveraging its substantial natural gas reserves, estimated at around 57 trillion cubic feet.
The country is expanding electricity generation and gas infrastructure as domestic demand rises and regional power trade opportunities grow.
Authorities in Tanzania have outlined plans to dramatically increase electricity generation capacity to 70,000 megawatts by 2050, while also pursuing civilian nuclear energy development as part of a broader long-term strategy.
Analysts say cross-border cooperation will become increasingly important as African countries seek to improve energy security, reduce power shortages and accelerate industrialisation.
Regional power integration projects are also viewed as critical to lowering electricity costs and improving reliability across East Africa.
The agreement between Rwanda and Tanzania comes amid wider efforts across the continent to attract investment into renewable energy, grid expansion and emerging technologies, including nuclear power and battery storage systems.
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Officials from both countries said closer collaboration would help support sustainable development goals while strengthening resilience against future energy supply shocks.
