Rwanda plans to have a nuclear power plant operational by 2030 to help expand the country’s energy sources, according to the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB).
This announcement was made during a press conference held on June 26, 2025, in Kigali, ahead of the upcoming Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NESIA 2025).
The planned plant will use Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) fueled by uranium enriched up to 20%, which is strictly for peaceful energy purposes and not for nuclear weapons, said Dr. Fidèle Ndahayo, CEO of RAEB.
“That is our goal — for the first phase to begin producing electricity. We will need 234 staff members for that phase, and by 2028, we aim to have trained them so we can begin preparations. We will have that number — or even more,” Ndahayo said.
He added, “The reactor will be built using cutting-edge technology, some of which is not yet commercially available, and will occupy between 15 to 50 hectares of land, which can easily be allocated anywhere in Rwanda.”
Ndahayo noted that Rwanda has already begun signing agreements with nuclear technology developers and is simultaneously working to build local expertise. Plans are underway to establish nuclear training programs at the University of Rwanda and Rwanda Polytechnic institutions.
Currently, Rwanda has between 30 and 50 nuclear experts, while about 200 more are pursuing studies in Russia under the Rwanda–Russia nuclear development partnership.
An additional 40 students will be sent for training this year, followed by another 40 in 2026 through a bilateral agreement with Hungary. By 2028, Rwanda aims to have at least 250 trained professionals in the nuclear field.
The country is also pursuing similar training agreements with other nations, including China and South Korea. Studies indicate that small nuclear power plants require 220 to 250 personnel working in four rotating shifts.
Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, emphasized that the country’s nuclear ambitions are strictly for development purposes — not weapons.
“The key difference lies in enrichment. We’re working with uranium enriched below 20%, which cannot be used for weapons but can be used for energy. A country that seeks energy doesn’t enter the nuclear enrichment business,” Gasore explained.
He further noted that nuclear enrichment is a complex and demanding process, and Rwanda is focused solely on energy development.
𝗔 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
NESIA 2025 will take place in Kigali from June 30 to July 1, 2025, and will spotlight the transformative role of nuclear innovation, particularly Small Modular and Micro Reactors (SMRs and MMRs), and the enabling conditions needed for their adoption.
Despite its vast energy potential, Africa remains the region most affected by energy poverty, with over 600 million people lacking reliable electricity access.
At the same time, the continent is undergoing rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and digital infrastructure expansion — all of which require secure and sustainable energy solutions.
“Africa is not merely adapting to the global energy transition — we are driving it. Nuclear energy is no longer a distant aspiration; it is central to our strategy for sustainable growth, regional integration, and energy security. The time to act is now,” said Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board.
As the world advances toward net-zero emissions, NESIA 2025 positions Africa as a proactive and innovative contributor to global nuclear development.
By focusing on safe, modular, and scalable nuclear technologies, the summit will highlight how SMRs and MMRs can help close energy gaps, support off-grid industrialization, and contribute to international climate goals.
Currently, South Africa is the only African country with an operational nuclear power plant. Egypt and Rwanda are among the countries developing new nuclear energy projects.
