Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente urged African leaders to fast-track the adoption of nuclear energy to meet the continent’s soaring energy demands and drive sustainable development.
The summit, attended by delegates from over 40 countries, underscored nuclear power’s potential to transform Africa’s energy landscape amid a projected population boom to over 3 billion in the coming decades.
In his opening address at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2025) in Kigali,Prime Minister Ngirente emphasized the urgent need for clean, reliable, and scalable energy sources to support industrialization and inclusive growth.
“The future of the African energy landscape will continue to be driven by increasing energy demand and population growth,” he stated, highlighting that 600 million Africans currently lack access to electricity. Ngirente positioned nuclear energy as a transformative, non-polluting solution to boost energy access, combat climate change, and accelerate development milestones while preserving the environment.
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The Prime Minister called for unified action among African nations to embrace nuclear technologies, particularly small modular nuclear power plants (SMRs/MMRs), which promise energy self-sufficiency, expanded access to clean electricity, and industrial growth. He stressed the importance of establishing robust frameworks to harness these opportunities, fostering collaboration and inclusive development across the continent.
Organized in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Nuclear Energy Agency, World Nuclear Association, and regional financial institutions, NEISA 2025 brought together policymakers, energy leaders, and nuclear experts. Discussions focused on deploying cutting-edge SMRs/MMRs to address Africa’s energy challenges and support sustainable development goals.
Ngirente’s impassioned plea resonated with delegates, reinforcing nuclear energy’s role as a cornerstone for Africa’s future. The summit, a landmark event in Kigali, signals a bold step toward a cleaner, more prosperous continent, with Rwanda leading the charge for innovation and unity in the energy sector.
