KIGALI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame said on Tuesday that nuclear energy is central to the country's national ambitions under Vision 2050 and called for international cooperation in financing and technology.
He made the remarks in Paris, France, where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, and other leaders for the opening of the second Nuclear Energy Summit.
As Rwanda aspires to be a high-income country by 2050, it requires abundant electricity to power its development initiatives, said Kagame.
"That is why we have decided to make nuclear energy central to our strategy. It will diversify our energy mix while providing the stability required for industrial growth and long-term transformation," he said.
Kagame said Rwanda remains determined to power the country's development with nuclear energy, adding that hundreds of Rwandans have been trained in nuclear science and engineering through partnerships with leading global institutions.
He observed that nuclear technology is evolving in ways that benefit countries with small grids, allowing Africa to be among the early adopters.
Noting that small modular reactors (SMRs) are especially suited to Africa's requirements, the Rwandan leader expressed confidence that Africa will emerge as one of the most important global markets for SMRs in the coming years.
The second Nuclear Energy Summit drew participation from over 60 countries, including heads of state, government leaders, senior representatives and leaders of international organizations. The summit aims to address issues related to civil nuclear energy at the global multilateral level and to highlight the positive role of its development. ■