President Paul Kagame has said Rwanda is placing nuclear energy at the center of its long-term development strategy as the country works toward becoming a high-income economy by 2050.
Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, the Head of State explained that achieving Rwanda’s economic ambitions will require a large and reliable supply of electricity to support industries, technology, and growing cities.
“Rwanda aims to be a high-income country by 2050. That requires abundant electricity, and that is why we have decided to make nuclear energy central to our strategy,” President Kagame said.
He added that building a nuclear energy sector is not only about constructing reactors, but also about developing strong institutions, sound regulation, and a skilled workforce capable of managing the technology safely.
According to the President, Rwanda is already laying the foundation by investing in education, training specialists, and strengthening regulatory institutions to meet international standards.
Nuclear power is expected to help Rwanda diversify its energy mix while providing stable electricity needed for industrial growth and long-term economic transformation. Experts say the country will need a significant increase in power generation capacity to support its Vision 2050 goals.
Rwanda plans to focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), a new generation of compact nuclear reactors designed for countries with smaller electricity grids. These reactors are considered more flexible and easier to deploy compared to traditional nuclear plants.
The government has already begun training hundreds of nuclear scientists and engineers and aims to have a strong local workforce ready to operate and regulate the sector in the coming years.
President Kagame also invited global partners to participate in Rwanda’s nuclear energy journey, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, investment, and knowledge sharing in building a safe and sustainable nuclear industry.
“Rwanda is determined to do what it takes to power our development with nuclear energy, and we look forward to you being a part of this journey,” he said.
The Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris is essentially a one-day high-level event. It is being held on 10 March 2026 and runs throughout the day with plenary speeches, panel discussions, and meetings between leaders and industry representatives.
The summit brings together heads of state, government officials, international organizations, financial institutions, and nuclear industry leaders to discuss the role of civilian nuclear energy in addressing global energy and climate challenges.
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