Rwanda and Russia have signed a new agreement advancing plans to develop small modular nuclear power plants, establish a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology and train Rwandan nuclear specialists.
The memorandum of understanding was signed during the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow by the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board and Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation, Rosatom.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia, Maj Gen (Rtd) Joseph Nzabamwita, signed on behalf of the country, while Nikolay Spassky, Rosatom’s Deputy Director General for International Activities, represented the Russian corporation. Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva led Rwanda’s delegation to the summit on behalf of President Paul Kagame.
According to Sputnik, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said the corporation would assist Rwanda in developing the infrastructure and expertise required for a civilian nuclear energy programme.
Rosatom said the programme would be implemented in line with standards and recommendations established by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The cooperation will focus on three main areas: developing small modular nuclear power plants, creating a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, and training national personnel to operate and regulate the facilities.
The agreement provides for an assessment of Rwanda’s existing nuclear infrastructure and identification of the technical, institutional and regulatory requirements needed to advance the programme.
Nzabamwita said the partnership would help Rwanda develop clean and reliable electricity while expanding the use of nuclear technology in healthcare, agriculture, mining, education and scientific research.
The planned science centre is expected to support cancer diagnosis and treatment, production of medical materials, preservation of agricultural produce, geological surveys and mineral processing. It will also train scientists, engineers and technical personnel needed for Rwanda’s nuclear ambitions.
“Construction works will soon commence in Rwanda, which will also create jobs for our youths,” Nzabamwita said.
However, the document signed in Moscow is an infrastructure development memorandum rather than a final reactor construction contract. Details concerning the reactor technology, location, financing, licensing and construction timetable have not yet been publicly confirmed.
The latest agreement builds on nuclear cooperation between Rwanda and Russia dating back to 2018. In 2019, the two sides agreed to establish a nuclear science and technology centre. In July 2026, RAEB and Rosatom signed a roadmap covering small modular reactors, workforce development, regulation and national nuclear infrastructure.
Rwanda plans to introduce nuclear-generated electricity into its energy mix in the early 2030s. The country is targeting an initial 110 megawatts of nuclear generation between 2030 and 2033.
President Kagame placed nuclear energy at the centre of Rwanda’s long-term development strategy during the Second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris on March 10, 2026.
“It will diversify our energy mix, while providing the stability required for industrial growth and long-term transformation,” Kagame said.
He said hundreds of Rwandans had already received training in nuclear science and engineering through partnerships with international institutions. The University of Rwanda has also introduced a programme in nuclear science.
Small modular reactors are designed to produce up to 300 megawatts of electricity and can be deployed progressively, making them potentially more suitable for countries with smaller power grids.
The projects will still require substantial financing, strict regulatory supervision, qualified personnel, secure management of radioactive waste and long-term arrangements for cooling, emergency response and environmental protection.
Rwanda says its nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful civilian purposes, including electricity generation, medicine, agriculture, mining, research and technical education.
