Rwanda is stepping closer to integrating nuclear energy into its power system as Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva met with United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

The talks centred on collaboration in nuclear power development, natural gas, and critical mineral processing, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Earlier this year, the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) entered into a partnership with NANO Nuclear Energy Inc., a US-based company, to develop a nuclear energy ecosystem. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines plans to introduce small modular reactors and microreactors that could form part of Rwanda’s next-generation power infrastructure.

The agreement aligns with the country’s second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which spans from 2024 to 2029. The strategy prioritises the exploration of nuclear technology for productive use across key sectors including health, agriculture, and energy.

According to government projections, electricity demand is set to rise significantly as industrialisation accelerates. Rwanda will need about 3,788 megawatts of generation capacity by 2035 and nearly 13,981 megawatts by 2050 to meet growing consumption.

Data from the Rwanda Energy Group indicate that installed power generation capacity has increased from 156 megawatts in 2014 to more than 406 megawatts in 2024. Despite this progress, officials say the country must continue identifying new, reliable, and affordable sources of energy to sustain its growth.

The latest cooperation with the United States, officials note, represents a step forward in accessing advanced nuclear technology and building technical expertise to drive future energy projects.