IAEA Boosts Ties With Rwanda at African Nuclear Summit

He exchanged with President Paul Kagame on Rwanda's ambitious nuclear power plans, delivered the final report of an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission and signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation between the IAEA and Rwanda on nuclear energy.

Important exchange with President @PaulKagame on the margins of #NEISA2026 on Rwanda's ambitious nuclear power plans, including SMRs.

We reviewed 🇷🇼's progress in preparing the foundations for nuclear power, as outlined in the @IAEAorg 's INIR report that I delivered today, from… pic.twitter.com/Wwgvm3EQ0Z

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) May 19, 2026

The INIR report marks a milestone in Rwanda's efforts to lay the foundations for a safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear power programme.

President Kagame welcomed the delivery of the report and said, "Rwanda is pleased to have successfully completed the IAEA's Phase 1 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR). We intend to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s, and this assessment confirms that we are on track. For Africa, energy is not simply a development issue. It is the foundation of industrial growth, and competitiveness .

Rwanda's energy policy sees nuclear as a core component of a diversified mix designed to reduce dependence on imported electricity and liquid fuels, with a target of more than 60% nuclear by 2050. Rwanda aims to commission its first SMR in the 2030s. Mr Grossi signed an agreement with Rwanda's Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore to strengthen cooperation with the IAEA on integrating nuclear energy into the country's energy mix, including small modular reactors (SMRs).

Important step forward for Rwanda's nuclear energy plans.

Together with @RwandaInfra 's @Dr_JimmyGasore , signed an @IAEAorg / @RwandaGov agreement to strengthen cooperation on integrating nuclear energy into Rwanda's energy mix, including SMRs.

The agreement covers support on… pic.twitter.com/jobUECGxd7

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) May 19, 2026

Mr Grossi also exchanged with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania on the expanding cooperation between the IAEA and her country, from cancer care and plans to boost food security under the IAEA's Rays of Hope and Atoms4Food flagship initiatives to Tanzania's plans to develop its power infrastructure.

The summit brought together governments, regulators, financiers, industry, and technology partners to explore how nuclear energy can be used for development opportunities in Africa.

African countries make up around half of all newcomer countries working with the IAEA, and 13 are actively pursuing nuclear power programmes. New opportunities for financing nuclear power programmes on the continent are also expected after the IAEA and World Bank signed an agreement in 2025 to collaborate on nuclear energy for development.

"Africa's energy future will be built by Africans, and the IAEA is ready to continue supporting countries across the continent, from infrastructure development and capacity building to new technologies such as SMRs," said Mr. Grossi.

"Africa's economic transformation depends fundamentally on reliable, affordable and sustainable energy systems," said President Hassan, speaking at the summit. She added that Africa's expanding digital infrastructure, and increased demand in manufacturing and mining had increased demand for stable baseload power.

"Civil nuclear power - and in particular small modular reactors and micro-reactors - are no longer a distant prospect," said Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo. "The World Bank has lifted its long-standing ban on financing nuclear power. The COP and financial institutions have endorsed this technology. Because it has changed, and because the context has changed too. It is now up to us to change our perspective.

About INIR Missions

INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestones Approach , with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases (consider, prepare and construct) and three milestones (decide, contract and operate). INIR missions enable IAEA Member State representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in different countries.

In developing its recommendations, the INIR team considers the comments made by the relevant national organizations. Implementation of any of the team's recommendations and suggestions is at the discretion of the Member State requesting the mission. The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the Member State develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure. INIR follow-up missions assess the implementation of the recommendations and suggestions provided during the main mission.