African countries see SMRs as key to future nuclear development

A growing number of African countries are viewing the SMR technology as a way to expand electricity access and support long-term economic development, says analyst.

What: SMRs are increasingly being seen as the future of nuclear power in Africa.

Why: The rise of SMRs could help African countries close their electricity gap and take greater control of their energy future.

What next: Rwanda aims to have its first NPP operating by the early 2030s through a project expected to cost between $5bn and $6bn. Togo, Niger and Tanzania are also advancing their own nuclear ambitions.

At least 10 African countries are now actively exploring nuclear energy, with the continent aiming to develop around 15 GW of nuclear capacity by the mid-2030s, says Duggan Flanakin, a senior policy analyst at the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are increasingly being seen as the future of nuclear power in Africa, with a growing number of countries viewing the technology as a way to expand electricity access and support long-term economic development.

According to Flanakin, Rwanda has emerged as one of the continent’s strongest supporters of nuclear energy. A recent Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that Rwanda had made progress in preparing its nuclear programme. As IAEA team leader Mehmet Ceyhan pointed out, strong government support and effective coordination reflected Rwanda’s deep commitment to the programme.

Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit 2026 in Paris, President Paul Kagame said Rwanda was determined to use nuclear power to drive development and was building the institutions, regulations and skilled workforce needed to support the sector.

Kagame told delegates in Paris that “nuclear technology is evolving in ways that benefit countries with small grids, allowing Africa to be among the early adopters,” adding that “small modular reactors in particular are especially suited to Africa’s requirements.”

Rwanda’s nuclear programme

Rwanda began laying the foundations for its programme in 2019 when it established a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) with Russia. According to Flanakin, the facility focuses on isotope production for cancer treatment, agricultural applications and industrial testing, while also helping prepare the country for future reactor projects.

In September 2025, Rwanda hosted the first Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA) under the theme of “The Potential of Small Modular and Micro Reactors in Accelerating Africa's Energy Transition.”

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente used the event to present Rwanda’s ambitious plans to increase electricity generation capacity from 1 GW to 5 GW by 2050, with nuclear power expected to play a major role.

Ngirente said Africa's energy demand would continue to rise as the population expands towards an estimated three billion people. However, more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity and many others receive unreliable supplies. He added that African countries were interested in nuclear power because “it is clean, reliable, and does not depend on the rain or sun. It provides consistent power, day and night.”

“In this regard,” he said, “we recognise the need for smaller and micro nuclear power plants as a pathway for smaller energy systems to afford nuclear energy in our national energy mix. We welcome partners from around the world to collaborate, localize their solutions, and scale impact – not only in Rwanda, but across the African continent.”

Ngirente also stressed three priorities for Africa: using nuclear energy to accelerate inclusive development and improve essential services, strengthening regional and global cooperation and innovation to advance the energy transition across the continent, and acting quickly to diversify energy sources because “nuclear is part of that solution.”

NEISA 2026

In May 2026, Rwanda held a second edition of NEISA in Kigali under the theme of “Powering Africa’s Future, turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality.”

Discussions gained additional momentum after the World Bank decided to lift its long-standing ban on financing nuclear energy projects. As Flanakin points out, “global leaders, shocked by the demands of new technologies for massive amounts of electricity, are warming up to nuclear.”

Leaders from Tanzania, Niger and Togo also expressed support for an SMR-driven future. Tanzania, which has significant uranium reserves, signed an agreement with Russia’s Rosatom last year to develop a $400mn uranium processing plant as part of a 20-year programme valued at $1.2bn.

South Africa is also seeking to revive parts of its nuclear programme. Eskom recently secured a 20-year extension for the Koeberg nuclear power plant (NPP) and received approval to revive the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) programme, which had been placed in care and maintenance after active development stopped in 2010. The PBMR uses TRISO fuel and helium as its coolant, and can provide both electricity and industrial heat.

Elsewhere on the continent, Egypt expects its first reactors at the El Dabaa NPP to begin operating in 2028, with total capacity reaching 4.8 GW. Ghana plans to commission its first nuclear plant in the early 2030s, while Uganda is pursuing its own programme with international partners.

Rwanda aims to have its first NPP operating by the early 2030s through a project expected to cost between $5bn and $6bn. Togo, Niger and Tanzania are also advancing their own nuclear ambitions.

The rise of SMRs in Africa

According to Flanakin, Kagame’s remark in Paris that Africa could become one of the world’s leading SMR markets, together with his call for stronger international cooperation on nuclear energy, helped shape the agenda for NEISA 2026.

Kagame believes that SMRs offer particular advantages for Africa because they can be deployed as stand-alone units supplying industries, hospitals and small cities, even where national grids are weak or absent.

He said nuclear power could help transform electricity access, healthcare and technological development across the continent. To achieve this, Kagame stressed that “It is essential to have private investment, institutional collaboration, and long-term sustainable approaches that ensure efficiency and accountability.”

Flanakin points out that Africa has a lot of catching up to do. However, with SMRs, African nations can be at the forefront, largely because in many places these power plants would be providing the first reliable electricity to entire regions.

“For the first time in modern history, African nations are calling their own shots. Rwanda, along with many of its neighbours, appears more than ready to quintuple its electricity output and power 21st century research, healthcare, education, and industry. All they need is a hand-up,” says Flanakin.