KIGALI — Rwanda and Russia signed a nuclear cooperation agreement on May 19, 2026, at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit in Kigali. The Memorandum of Understanding covers nuclear medicine, health, nuclear science, potential research reactor projects, and training programmes.

Feasibility studies are underway for a small modular reactor (SMR)-based facility and a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Rwanda, according to a spokesperson. The proposed center would host a research reactor, laboratories, training facilities, and nuclear medicine infrastructure. Rwanda is currently sending students to Russia for nuclear engineering programmes, and the agreement is described as long-term and incremental, with operational nuclear facilities potentially taking a decade or more to develop. "In addition to Russian company Rosatom, Rwanda also signed MoUs with the US government on civil nuclear cooperation, as well as agreements with firms from South Africa and Austria," Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said.

Senior analyst at Control Risks Beverly Ochieng said, "Rwanda is showing that it can pursue development and diplomatic objectives simultaneously." She added, "By carefully compartmentalising its partnerships, the country hedges against uncertainty while laying the groundwork for advanced scientific capacity."

Specialist in diplomacy and international relations Macharia Munene said, "Russia is benefitting from weakening perceptions of Western consistency." He added, "In the eyes of some African leaders, Moscow’s approach is more predictable: you get investment and training without strings attached."

Rwanda’s nuclear programme is tied to domestic priorities including improving healthcare through nuclear medicine, training engineers, and advancing scientific research. The agreement with Russia is focused on long-term capacity building rather than immediate electricity generation.