Rwanda is advancing plans for a proposed $500 million Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology as it works to build the research capacity and specialist skills needed to develop its nuclear programme.
The centre is expected to support nuclear research and training and produce specialists who will help the country use nuclear science and technology in areas including energy, agriculture, healthcare and industry.
State Minister for Infrastructure Armand Zingiro said an assessment conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency had provided recommendations for the next stage of Rwanda’s preparations.
“The assessment gave us a picture of where Rwanda stands in building the infrastructure needed to begin using nuclear energy safely and sustainably,” Zingiro said during the IAEA’s 70th General Conference in Vienna, Austria.
Rwanda hosted the IAEA’s Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review for Research Reactors from July 13 to 21. The review examined the country’s capacity to develop the proposed centre and the infrastructure required for nuclear-related activities.
Zingiro said Rwanda has moved beyond developing a nuclear policy and is now working towards implementation.
“Our nuclear energy programme has moved beyond the policy stage and we are now trying to put it into practice,” he said.
The government expects Rwanda to have a nuclear power plant generating electricity by 2030. The broader programme is also intended to support applications of nuclear science beyond power generation.
Zingiro said nuclear technology could contribute to increasing energy supplies, improving healthcare, raising food production and strengthening research and industry under Rwanda’s Vision 2050 strategy.
The plans come as African countries seek ways to respond to growing energy needs. Zingiro told the Vienna meeting that the continent needs practical measures to turn interest in nuclear energy into projects.
Rwanda hosted the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa, or NEISA 2026, in Kigali in May, where nuclear innovation and Africa’s energy needs were discussed.
The proposed centre would provide a base for research and training as Rwanda develops the human resources needed to support its nuclear ambitions.
