African Currents

Rwanda Partners Russia's Rosatom to Build Nuclear Power Plant

19:00, 14 October 2024
Chimauchem Nwosu
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As Africa's energy needs grow, Russia's growing influence in nuclear energy has reached Rwanda, marking a significant step in international collaboration on energy solutions. This includes initiatives to establish a research reactor and promote innovation in agriculture and medicine through nuclear technology in the country.
Sputnik
Rwanda's leadership is actively pursuing the integration of nuclear energy into the country's energy policy to complement its broader energy goals, recognizing the need for sustainable sources due to its landlocked status. By adding nuclear energy to its energy mix, the East African country aims to enhance its energy intake, says Dr. David Otwoma, the President of the Nuclear Society of Kenya and adjunct lecturer at the Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, in a discussion with African Currents.

"Rwanda is making significant strides in its transformative energy policy. The reason being the leadership. Right from the president of Rwanda to the people in charge of the Ministry of Energy or energy issues in Rwanda and in the executive. They all wish to add nuclear energy in complementing Rwanda's broader energy goals. Other than the leadership, is the fact that Rwanda is a landlocked country. Nuclear energy offers a good opportunity to add to Rwanda's energy mix," Dr. Otwoma stresses.

For her part, Senamile Masango, a South African nuclear scientist and Founder of Senamile Masango Foundation, states that Rwanda's collaboration with Russia on nuclear technology offers investment and employment opportunities for African scientists and engineers, especially in building Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These efforts not only meet Africa's growing energy needs but also align with climate goals by providing a sustainable energy source with improved operational efficiency.

"This is a good move for Rwanda, especially within the nuclear technology space and signing the partnership. By partnering with Russia, I'm hoping that they will also get enough investors to come and invest in the country. If you are building a nuclear power plant or you are building any SMR [Small Modular Reactor], you will need a workforce, which means it will create job opportunities, especially for scientists and engineers in Africa," Masango remarked.

To find out what else our guests had to say, tune in to the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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