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Kigali, Rwanda – Rwanda’s new nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia may seem technical on paper, focusing on science, nuclear medicine and energy, but it represents a deep political change in Africa.
While Moscow is expanding its presence on the continent, Washington and other Western countries are seen as neutral, leaving room for countries like Rwanda to explore new alliances.
The agreement was signed on May 19 at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit in Kigali, where the Rwandan government emphasized its ambitions to become a center for technology, innovation and advanced healthcare.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covers nuclear medicine and major cooperation in health and nuclear science, including potential research projects and training programs.
Rwandan government spokeswoman, Yolande Makolo, told Al Jazeera that an investigation into nuclear technology (SMR) by the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology is underway.
“In addition to the Russian company Rosatom, Rwanda also signed MoUs with the US government in the field of civil nuclear cooperation, as well as agreements with South African and Austrian companies,” said Makolo, highlighting Kigali’s way of connecting with several countries.
The proposed facility could include research facilities, laboratories, training facilities and nuclear facilities, although the plan is still in its early stages. Currently, Rwanda is sending students to Russia to participate in nuclear technology programs, laying the foundation for domestic technology.
Change map
Western influence in Africa, based on aid, development funding and security cooperation, is facing new challenges. Some African governments question whether foreign partners can be trusted as policy shifts between administrations.
Russia has acted quickly to exploit this uncertainty, promoting the principle of non-interference and respect for authority, a message that also resonates with leaders frustrated by Western pressure.
“Russia is benefiting from a weakening sense of European unity,” said Professor Macharia Munene, an expert on conferences and international relations. “In the eyes of some African leaders, Moscow’s strategy is obvious: you get money and wireless education.”
The proliferation of nuclear weapons in Russia is one way to expand its influence on the continent, agreements are said to have been signed in countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Many of these activities include Rosatom, the state-run nuclear agency that sits at the center of Moscow’s strategic and diplomatic ties.
At the same time, the growth of China’s economy and the security cooperation of the United States in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, where the main US military bases are located in Africa, means that Africa is growing more and more on the chessboard of competing powers.
Rwanda to plan carefully
Rwanda has been criticized for its human rights record, including accusations of favoritism against the media and the opposition. Relations with the US have been strained, with Washington accusing Kigali of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is at the heart of regional power conflicts.
However, Rwanda builds its cooperation with Moscow mainly on technology, education and finance rather than politics. The nuclear deal is not about immediate power generation but seems to focus on long-term power generation.
“Rwanda will continue to have access to several countries,” said Beverly Ochieng, an analyst at Control Risks. “The deal comes alongside a health deal with Russia and security talks with France. Rwanda is putting together a deal to meet its needs.”
President Paul Kagame’s strategy is clear: maintain strong relations with the US, China, Europe, the Gulf and Russia, without relying too much on any partner.
Nuclear weapons act as symbols of desire
Nuclear projects in Africa often serve two purposes: technological development and political expression. Small modular systems or research facilities reflect scientific ambition and industrial development, even before electricity was invented.
“Most nuclear agreements with Russia are symbolic,” Ochieng said. “They allow Rosatom to control technology, even after receiving sanctions. It will take ten years for these agreements to come into force.”
Experts say that nuclear programs are expensive and complex, which require years of expertise, regulatory oversight and careful monitoring of international security. Governments need to weigh the benefits of education and skills development against long-term risks to the economy and skills.
However, many African countries see nuclear cooperation as an attractive option because it allows them to pursue development in an ambitious manner, rather than committing to a single global regime.
“Russia does not pretend to be morally superior,” Munene said. “That honesty, combined with Western double standards, is drawing African countries to Russia and China.”
Regional and domestic units
In East Africa, nuclear energy is seen as part of the country’s prestige and economic strategy. Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia have all shown long-term interest in nuclear power, although progress has been slow. Rwanda’s decision to cooperate with several countries, including the US, South Africa, Austria and Russia, shows willingness and caution.
For Kigali, the nuclear program is also related to domestic needs: improving health through nuclear medicine, training professionals and advancing scientific research. If successful, the capital could make Rwanda a hub for nuclear technology and scientific applications, attracting talent and investment.
The partnership is also in line with Kagame’s vision of transforming Rwanda into a technology-driven economy, fostering partnerships that integrate technology, investment and dialogue. However, critics warn that relying on foreign technology and education can lead to long-term dependence, especially if the country’s political situation changes.
What’s coming up
The nuclear deal is long and complicated. Feasibility studies, student training and infrastructure development are expected to take several years. Only after this foundation is laid can a facility be considered, a process that can take a decade or more.
Rwanda shows a successful approach: diversifying partnerships, investing in civil society and using technical agreements as a means of internationalization.
“Rwanda is showing that it can achieve both development and diplomatic goals at the same time,” Ochieng said. “By carefully dividing its relationships, the country is dealing with uncertainty while laying the foundations for advanced scientific technology.”
