By staff writer, China Africa News
Moscow, Russia, July 1, 2026 — Rwanda and Russia have signed a new roadmap to advance cooperation on the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), marking another milestone in Rwanda’s long-term strategy to establish a peaceful nuclear energy programme.
The roadmap was signed following the inaugural meeting of the Joint Coordinating Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation, held in Moscow on June 29. The meeting brought together senior officials from the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) and Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom, to assess progress on existing areas of collaboration and define the next phase of their partnership.
The Rwandan delegation was led by Lassina Zerbo, Energy Advisor to the President of Rwanda and Chairperson of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, while the Russian side was headed by Kirill Komarov, Rosatom’s First Deputy Director General for Development and International Business.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation in several strategic areas, including the planned development of Rwanda’s first nuclear power project, the establishment of a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, strengthening the country’s nuclear regulatory framework, and expanding training opportunities for Rwandan nuclear professionals.
The newly signed roadmap places particular emphasis on the development of Small Modular Reactors, an emerging nuclear technology designed to generate reliable, low-carbon electricity with smaller construction footprints and enhanced safety features compared to conventional nuclear power plants. The technology is increasingly viewed as a practical solution for countries seeking to diversify their energy mix while supporting industrial growth and reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Kirill Komarov said the agreement moves cooperation between Rwanda and Russia beyond broad policy commitments to concrete implementation. He noted that the partnership now focuses on practical projects ranging from workforce development and nuclear infrastructure to scientific research and the deployment of Small Modular Reactor technology.
Rwanda has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended exclusively for peaceful purposes, with a strong focus on energy security, scientific advancement, healthcare, agriculture and industrial development. The country is working closely with international partners to ensure that its programme complies with global nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation standards.
The latest roadmap reinforces the growing strategic partnership between Kigali and Moscow and represents another important step in Rwanda’s efforts to build the institutional capacity and technical expertise required to safely introduce nuclear energy into its future electricity generation mix.
