Rwanda is about to make a pretty bold move: they're planning to build civilian nuclear reactors. President Paul Kagame is betting big on nuclear power, saying it's not too risky for developing nations and will supercharge Rwanda's energy supply and industry.
Right now, Rwanda gets most of its electricity from hydropower and other thermal sources. Back in 2020, only half the country had power. But they're aiming for 100% electricity access by 2030, and nuclear power is set to provide a massive 60-70% of that.
A Green Light from Global Experts
Here's where it gets really interesting: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) just gave Rwanda a thumbs-up. The IAEA, basically the global watchdog for nuclear safety, sent a team to Rwanda's capital, Kigali, to check things out.
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They looked at 19 different areas, from laws and safety protocols to how Rwanda plans to handle radioactive waste. After a week of digging in, the IAEA team said Rwanda is making "good progress."
Mehmet Ceyhan, an IAEA team leader, pointed out that strong government support is really helping Rwanda push this plan forward. It's a sign that developing nations are seriously looking at nuclear energy as a way to power their growth. Rwanda is now scouting locations for its future nuclear program.
