Minister of Infrastructure Dr. Jimmy Gasore announced that in preparation for the production of nuclear energy in the future, more than 300 Rwandans have been sent to study courses related to their use in universities in different countries and some have now even completed their studies.

This program started in 2019, after Rwanda signed an agreement with Russia to build a Research Center on the use of nuclear energy.

After talks with the Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente on December 17, 2024, showing him what is being done to make Rwanda a model in the production of nuclear energy in Africa, Minister Dr. The man told the media that it is desirable that in the next 10 years there will be a power plant based on this energy.

He pointed out that the suitable industries for Rwanda are [small modular reactors], including those that are still in research and those that have reached the market and are being sold.

Dr. Gasore emphasized that the basics such as laws and regulations related to international requirements are still being prepared, but some Rwandans have already gone to be taught.

He said, “In order to build capacity in terms of personnel, we started in 2019 and so far we have trained more than 300 Rwandans, including graduates. We have sent them to various countries including Russia, Europe and the United States to study nuclear energy because it is a field that requires advanced knowledge and skills.”

Rwanda has also built relationships with various countries that have already started this program in order to share their experiences in this field.

South Africa and Egypt are some of the African countries that have been using nuclear power for years.

South Africa produces 8,154 gigawatts per hour (GWh) of nuclear power, South Korea produces 171,640 GWh, and the United States produces 779,186 GWh and these energies are among the ones that helped them accelerate their development.

Minister Dr. Gasore pointed out that Rwanda had not yet started building factories that will process electricity from nuclear energy, but something has been done.

He said, “We would not start the construction work, we are still preparing the necessary basics such as studies and establishing regulations. This is a highly regulated sector, so you have to establish the rules governing this energy, how to avoid accidents, establish institutions, it is a long journey that we have started and we are cooperating with partners in particular the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United States Agency for Nuclear Energy .”

Nuclear energy can be used in many things, such as providing electricity, in the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer because its radiation is used in its application, in terms of security because it is used in metallurgy or even in the production of weapons.

For nuclear power to produce electricity, uranium ore is used. It is an ore that is usually used in the production of nuclear weapons, which is why when someone hears about nuclear energy, they first think that it is for the purpose of making weapons.

Minister Dr. Jimmy Gasore pointed out that more than 300 Rwandans have been trained in the operation of nuclear energy