Rwanda has taken another step towards establishing a nuclear research and technology centre after experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved the country’s progress and recommended that it proceed with the next stages of the project.
The development follows an assessment by the IAEA’s Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission for Research Reactors (INIR-RR), which concluded its evaluation of Rwanda’s preparedness on July 21, 2026.
The mission assessed Rwanda’s readiness to establish a facility that will use nuclear technology for research, medical applications, agriculture and industrial development.
Dr. Fidel Ndahayo, Director General of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, said the centre will be developed in phases, starting with areas that have the greatest immediate impact.
The first phase will focus on medical and agricultural applications, with Dr. Ndahayo saying the IAEA review confirmed that Rwanda had met the requirements to proceed.
“They found that we had fulfilled the requirements for the first phase of establishing the research centre,” he said.
The next stage will involve strengthening partnerships with universities, research institutions and other stakeholders to ensure the availability of skilled experts before construction begins.
Dr. Ndahayo said Rwanda has already identified the site where the facility will be built, although the construction timeline has not yet been announced.
The planned centre will include a research reactor, which will not be used for electricity generation but will support scientific research, training and the production of materials used in medicine and other industries.
The reactor is expected to have a capacity of 400 kilowatts, providing radiation technology that will support research activities.
The project’s estimated cost has also been revised from an initial $800 million to about $500 million after further assessments showed that some costs could be reduced without affecting the project’s objectives.
IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov commended Rwanda’s commitment to the initiative, saying the facility would help the country advance its nuclear technology goals within the next decade.
Once completed, the centre is expected to support several sectors, including agriculture through research aimed at improving crop preservation, developing stronger seeds and increasing food resilience.
It will also include facilities for producing medical isotopes used in diagnosing and treating diseases, reducing the need for some patients to seek specialized services abroad.
The facility will further provide laboratories for research and training, helping Rwanda build a skilled workforce capable of supporting future nuclear technology programmes, including a planned nuclear power project.
The initiative is part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to use nuclear science and technology to strengthen healthcare, agriculture, research capacity and industrial development.
