Kigali, July 21 – Rwanda has taken another important step toward establishing a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology following the successful conclusion of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review for Research Reactors (INIR-RR) Mission held from13-21 July 2026. 

The mission assessed the country's preparedness to develop a research reactor that will support applications in healthcare, agriculture, scientific research, industry and education.

It brought together IAEA experts and national stakeholders to assess the country’s preparedness for research reactor project supporting non-power nuclear applications, and provide actionable recommendations for alignment with international standards on safety and security.

The proposed research reactor is part of the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, expected to serve as a hub for scientific research, workforce training, medical isotope production and the development of nuclear expertise needed to support the country’s long-term nuclear ambitions. 

Speaking at the mission's closing ceremony, Dr. Fidele Ndahayo, Chief Executive Officer of RAEB, said this mission is not an endpoint, but a critical milestone in our journey toward building a safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear program. 

"Over the past days, we have engaged in constructive, open, and highly technical discussions with the distinguished experts of the mission team. These exchanges have provided valuable insights into the status of our infrastructure for the development of a research reactor, highlighting both our progress and the areas that require further strengthening."

The review builds on the momentum of the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission conducted earlier in March 2026, which assessed Rwanda’s nuclear power programme and identified strong government commitment and stakeholder engagement as areas of progress. Both missions provide a comprehensive assessment and recommendations for developing both power and non-power nuclear applications.

Mr. Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director and Head of Nuclear Energy

Mr. Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director and Head of Nuclear Energy, described that the research reactor programme as a critical foundation on which the power programme will be built and commended the path Rwanda has chosen. 

“Rwanda is one of the countries proving something the industry needed to hear, institutions can be built deliberately and in the right order with the right partners in a decade."

Beyond the review mission, Mr. Chudakov engaged the next generation of nuclear professionals by delivering a guest lecture titled “Perspectives of Nuclear Power and Technologies Development in the World," at the University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology, where he interacted with the students in Nuclear Science and Technology program, highlighting the growing role of nuclear technologies in advancing clean energy, climate resilience, and energy security. 

Director General of Rwanda Utillity Regulatory Authority (RURA), Evariste Rugigana, emphasized: “Our commitment to nuclear science is fundamentally a commitment to development. As we pursue Vision 2050, we will organize and sustain growth by increasing the level of knowledge, innovation and the ability to harness advanced technology as possible. Nuclear science and technology have an important place within that future.”

The mission concluded that Rwanda has made significant progress in developing the national infrastructure required for a research reactor programme and provided recommendations that will guide the next phase of implementation. The findings reinforce Rwanda's commitment to developing nuclear science and technology in line with international safety, security and safeguards standards while advancing national development priorities.

CNST Site Visit: IAEA experts and key national stakeholders visited the site