IAEA Conducts Assessment to Support Rwanda’s Nuclear Power Ambitions

Kigali, March 8, 2026 - Rwanda is undergoing an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assessment to evaluate its readiness to build a nuclear power plant, the agency announced on March 4, 2026. The inspection, conducted by IAEA experts, began on March 2 and will run until March 9, 2026.

The assessment focuses on 19 key areas, including Rwanda’s nuclear energy policy, funding sources, safety measures, and technical capacity to manage potential risks associated with nuclear plants.

Dr. Fidele Ndahayo, Director General of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Agency (RAEB), said the evaluation will identify areas where Rwanda needs to strengthen efforts. “This assessment will help us gain confidence in the international community and attract support to build these plants,” he explained.

The head of the IAEA Expert Group, Aline des Cloizeaux, clarified that the mission is advisory, not a decision-making process. “We are here to provide guidance on what needs improvement so Rwanda can continue its nuclear development plans,” she said.

Rwanda aims to have a nuclear power plant operational by the 2030s and has already invested in training programs, medical nuclear applications, and collaborations with international partners. In 2023, Rwanda signed an agreement with Dual Fluid Energy Inc. (Germany and Canada) to test a nuclear reactor, followed by projects with partners in Russia and the United States focusing on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

SMRs are compact plants capable of generating 100 megawatts of electricity, occupying 15-50 hectares, employing up to 230 workers, and being relocatable to remote areas. They are considered environmentally friendly, reducing up to 29 tons of CO₂ per gigawatt-hour (GWh) according to the World Nuclear Association.

The IAEA assessment is a critical step for Rwanda to demonstrate its commitment to safe, sustainable, and internationally compliant nuclear energy development.