President Paul Kagame has announced that Rwanda plans to begin producing nuclear energy in the early 2030s as part of its long-term strategy to transform the country’s energy sector.
Speaking at the opening of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit (NEISA) in Kigali on May 18, 2026, Kagame said Rwanda had successfully completed the first phase of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear infrastructure review.
“Rwanda is pleased to have successfully completed the first phase of the IAEA nuclear infrastructure review. We are planning to begin using nuclear energy in the early 2030s,” Kagame said.
He stressed that energy is not only a development issue for Africa, but also the foundation for industrial growth, mineral processing, modern healthcare, and global competitiveness.
Kagame added that the rise of artificial intelligence and data-driven industries will significantly increase electricity demand, making reliable energy more important than ever.
The President said Rwanda intends to use Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), describing them as practical and suitable for many African countries because they can be introduced gradually and connected to smaller power grids.
