Rwanda, U.S. Deepen Cooperation on Nuclear Energy and Critical Minerals

Rwanda and the United States have strengthened their partnership in the fields of nuclear energy, mineral development, and energy innovation following high-level talks held in Washington, D.C.

Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to discuss new areas of collaboration, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy, natural gas development, and the exploration and processing of key minerals essential to global clean energy transitions.

Dr. Nsengiyumva was in the United States to attend a dinner organized by the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF), where discussions also touched on sustainable energy policies and climate resilience.

The meeting builds on Rwanda’s growing engagement in the global nuclear energy community. In September 2025, Dr. Fidel Ndahayo, Director General of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB), announced that Rwanda is prioritizing several projects under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) framework to expand the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Among these initiatives is the “Rays of Hope” project, designed to enhance the use of nuclear energy in medicine-particularly in diagnosing and treating cancer and other serious diseases. The “Atoms4Water” project focuses on using nuclear science to monitor and improve water quality, as well as to locate underground water sources. Another program, “ZODIAC” (Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action), aims to strengthen early detection and response to zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans.

To support these ambitions, Rwanda plans to establish the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) in Bugesera District, near the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA). The facility will serve as a hub for nuclear research, training, and innovation.

The country also intends to adopt Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)-a new generation of compact, efficient nuclear power plants. According to Dr. Ndahayo, Rwanda has already committed to training 234 nuclear energy experts by 2028, paving the way for the installation of its first SMR plant by 2030.

In addition, Rwanda is preparing to deploy Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners to enhance nuclear medicine services in local hospitals. To ensure safety and compliance, the government continues to strengthen its independent nuclear regulatory authority, responsible for oversight and risk management in the sector.

Dr. Ndahayo emphasized that these initiatives are part of Rwanda’s long-term strategy to promote science-driven industrialization, encourage technology transfer, and position the country as a regional model in clean energy innovation.

For Rwanda to achieve its Vision 2050-becoming a high-income, developed nation-it will need to generate at least five gigawatts of electricity. Nuclear energy, he said, will play a key role in meeting that target by providing reliable and sustainable power.

Electricity generated from nuclear energy relies on the process of nuclear fission, where uranium atoms are split to release heat. This heat is then used to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity inside a nuclear reactor-the heart of the power plant.

Through continued collaboration with international partners such as the United States and the IAEA, Rwanda aims to harness the potential of nuclear science to power its development, improve healthcare, and advance technological innovation across multiple sectors.