Amid escalating energy demands and a global shift towards low-carbon solutions, Africa’s nuclear energy ambitions are once again drawing attention.
International investors and development partners are showing renewed interest in the continent’s nuclear infrastructure, viewing it as a viable path to energy security, industrialization, and climate resilience.
At the Africa Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda, key stakeholders—including policymakers, investors, and energy experts—gathered to explore nuclear power’s role in Africa’s energy transition.
The summit emphasized financing, capacity building, and the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and microreactors as promising solutions for cleaner energy.
Speaking also, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, reiterated the agency’s support for African nations developing peaceful and sustainable nuclear energy programs.
He underscored Africa’s critical role in the global low-carbon transition, declaring, “There is nothing preventing Africa from claiming its place” in the global energy landscape.
However, significant challenges remain. The African Development Bank estimates an annual infrastructure financing gap of $100 billion for the continent’s nuclear projects. The summit identified the AfCFTA’s protocol on the free movement of people as key to addressing the nuclear skills gap, promoting cross-border training and education.
Stéphane Ouedraogo of Stallion Capital Africa highlighted growing openness among institutions like the World Bank to fund nuclear initiatives, noting that such support brings capital, credibility, and risk mitigation.
Rwanda’s Minister of State for Public Investments, Tesi Rusagara, called on African nations to reduce reliance on concessional financing and instead harness domestic capital markets to fund energy infrastructure.
As countries like Kenya and Rwanda continue to explore SMRs, Africa’s nuclear energy momentum is steadily building. Realizing this potential will require coordinated financing strategies, policy reforms, and investment in local expertise to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
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