Rwandan President Paul Kagame has declared nuclear energy a cornerstone of Rwanda’s Vision 2050 strategy, emphasizing its potential to drive the nation’s transition to a high-income economy. Speaking at the second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris this week, Kagame outlined plans to integrate nuclear power into Rwanda’s energy mix, citing its stability and scalability as critical for industrial growth.
The summit, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, highlighted global efforts to advance civil nuclear cooperation. Kagame stressed the need for international partnerships to address financing and technological gaps, particularly for African nations. “Nuclear energy will diversify our energy mix while providing the stability required for industrial growth and long-term transformation,” he stated.
Rwanda has already trained hundreds of specialists in nuclear science through collaborations with global institutions, positioning itself as a regional leader in the field. Kagame also spotlighted small modular reactors (SMRs) as a viable solution for Africa’s energy needs, predicting the continent could become a major SMR market within the next decade.
The event brought together over 60 countries to discuss nuclear energy’s role in sustainable development, underscoring its resurgence as a clean energy alternative amid global climate goals.
