Paul Kagame Expected in Paris for Global Nuclear Energy Summit
President Paul Kagame is expected in Paris, France, where he will take part in the second edition of an international summit dedicated to nuclear energy. The high-level meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2026, and will bring together heads of state and senior officials from across the globe.
Among those expected to attend are French President Emmanuel Macron and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi. The summit will focus on the role of nuclear energy in global development, climate resilience, and sustainable power generation.
On the sidelines of the conference, President Kagame is also expected to hold bilateral talks with President Macron, with discussions likely to address the ongoing security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The issue was recently discussed between Macron and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi during a meeting at the Élysée Palace on February 25.
Rwanda is among a limited number of African nations actively pursuing nuclear energy as part of its long-term strategy to expand electricity generation. The Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) has previously indicated that the country will require more than $5 billion to construct its first nuclear power plant, a project aimed at significantly boosting nationwide electricity access.
According to officials, Rwanda aims to have its first nuclear power facility operational by 2030. Preparations include training specialized personnel, with approximately 230 skilled workers expected to be ready by 2028 to operate the plant.
The facility is projected to occupy between 15 and 50 hectares in a location distant from residential areas. Authorities emphasize that modern safety systems are designed to automatically shut down operations in the event of a malfunction, preventing harmful radiation leaks.
In further support of its nuclear ambitions, Kigali is set to host the first-ever Nuclear Energy Industry Summit on the African continent from March 18 to 21, positioning Rwanda as an emerging player in Africa’s nuclear energy development agenda.
