At the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2025), held in Kigali, Rwanda, African leaders called for urgent adoption of nuclear energy to meet the continent’s rising energy needs.
The summit, which began this week, gathered delegates from over 40 countries, alongside global institutions like the IAEA and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente opened the event, highlighting that Africa’s population is projected to surpass 3 billion in four decades, intensifying demand for clean and reliable energy.
Ngirente emphasized nuclear energy’s potential to close Africa’s massive energy gap, with over 600 million people still lacking electricity.
He urged nations to collaborate and create policy frameworks that support the deployment of nuclear technologies for inclusive and sustainable development.
Discussions focused on developing small modular reactors (SMRs/MMRs), viewed as scalable solutions for powering industries and remote regions.
Leaders also stressed the role of nuclear energy in achieving environmental goals, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting energy independence.
NEISA 2025 aims to position nuclear power as a cornerstone of Africa’s future energy mix and a driver of economic growth.
Organizers called on African governments to move from dialogue to action by investing in nuclear infrastructure and capacity-building.
The summit concludes Tuesday, reinforcing the continent’s growing commitment to innovative, low-carbon energy solutions.