The country has been investing in nuclear energy for nearly seven years, including strategic partnerships with Russia, the United States, Germany, and Canada.
In an interview on The Long Form podcast, Dr. Lassina Zerbo, chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board and former prime minister of Burkina Faso, outlined how nuclear energy could transform not only Rwanda but the broader continent, offering a sustainable path to socio-economic development.
Dr. Zerbo, a geophysicist and former executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), says Rwanda's pioneering nuclear strategy is on track for a 2030 launch.
'If everything goes to plan, we should have the first nuclear power plant in Rwanda by 2030,' Dr. Zerbo who serves as an Energy Advisor and Member of the Strategy and Policy Council in the Office of the President, crediting President Paul Kagame's disciplined vision.
'It's a challenging timeline, but not impossible," he added.
Unlike the massive, costly nuclear plants of decades past, Rwanda is embracing SMRs and micro reactorsâ€"compact, innovative systems designed for efficiency and safety.
'Small modular reactors range from 300 to 350 megawatts, while micro reactors can be as small as a 40-foot container,' Zerbo explained.
These 'plug-and-play' reactors require minimal infrastructure upgrades, making them a viable option for African nations with developing electrical grids.
'You don't need to overhaul everything like you would for a 1-gigawatt plant,' he noted, contrasting Rwanda's approach with larger projects in Kenya and Egypt.
Addressing public concerns about nuclear safety, Zerbo emphasised technological advancements that reduce risks.
'The cooling systems in SMRs and micro reactors, like passive cooling or the use of thorium and molten salt, make them far safer than traditional reactors,' he said.
He also tackled the issue of nuclear waste, a common worry. 'Our ambition is to use waste from one reactor as fuel for another. With micro reactors, waste is minimal, and vendors can remove and replace modules after 15 to 20 years.'
Beyond powering its cities and villages, Rwanda's nuclear program aims to serve as a blueprint for Africa, a vision widely discussed at the recently concluded Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2025).
'If we succeed here, it can inspire other African nations,' Zerbo remarked, pointing to countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, which are exploring similar technologies.
In efforts to actualise its nuclear energy ambitions, Rwanda has secured partnerships with global vendors, including Russia's Rosatom for SMRs and U.S.-based Nano Nuclear Energy and Denmark's Copenhagen Atomics for micro reactors.
'We're diversifying to avoid dependency and mitigate geopolitical risks,' Zerbo noted, addressing concerns about aligning with partners like Rosatom amid global tensions.
From Burkina Faso to global stages
Zerbo's journey to becoming Rwanda's nuclear chief is as compelling as the technology he champions. Born in Bobo-Dioulasso in 1963, when Burkina Faso was still Upper Volta, he rose from a modest upbringing to a global career in science and diplomacy.
As a young man, he dreamed of becoming a lawyer inspired by a French film about injustice, but a government scholarship steered him toward geophysics. His work in the mining industry and later at the CTBTO, where he monitored global nuclear tests, earned him international recognition.
In 2021, Zerbo briefly served as Burkina Faso's prime minister, a role cut short by a coup d'état.
Reflecting on the experience, he remained unfazed.
'I never felt threatened,' he said, describing the chaotic night when gunfire erupted in Ouagadougou. 'I was watching a football match with the president when it started. I knew I hadn't done anything to compromise myself.'
His resilience and optimism continue to shine through as he serves Africa, now from Kigali.
Drawing on his experiences in Burkina Faso, where jihadist terrorism remains a growing threat, he stressed the need for regional unity.
'Terrorism thrives where people lack opportunity,' he said, advocating for a dual approach of deterrence and development.
'We need to give people a reason to live, not just fight with guns.'
He sees Rwanda's stability and progress as a beacon of hope, likening it to a phoenix rising from its ashes after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed more than a million lives and left a trail of destruction.
'Rwanda's nuclear program is about showing what's possible when you combine vision, discipline, and courage.'
Watch the full interview with Dr. Lassina Zerbo on The Long Form podcast to hear more about his journey and Rwanda's energy ambitions.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
