Russia, 23 October, 2019: Minister of Infrastructure Honorable Claver Gatete participated in a high level panel discussion on the contribution of nuclear technologies in the development of Africa as part of the Russia-Africa Summit 2019 taking place in Sochi.

On the sidelines of Russia-Africa Economic Summit in Sochi, Rwandan Minister of infrastructure and his counterpart will sign an inter-governmental cooperation agreement (IGA) between Government of Rwanda (GoR) and Russian Federation (RF) on the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The primary objective is construction of Nuclear Science and Technology Hub and the ultimate goal is to promote scientific research and advance skills in the use of nuclear energy especially to the Rwandan youth.

Minister Claver Gatete during the panel discussion, emphasized on the contribution of nuclear technologies towards improving Rwanda’s socioeconomic development. The initiative will further facilitate in exploring the possibilities presented by nuclear technologies to address existing energy challenges in Africa. The signed agreement is the roadmap that will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries and unlock investment opportunities in other sector including agriculture, industry, health among others.

Other aspects of nuclear energy that were tackled during the panel discussion include the first step that should be made in order to promote nuclear technologies in Africa, the use of nuclear technologies in the energy sector in the implementation of the ambitious developmental plans for the region, opportunities open for African countries after the implementation of nuclear technologies and the approach to the implementation of national nuclear programmes in effective manner for the newcomer countries.

On Rwanda’s perspective, nuclear science and technology is among the strategies to achieve UN SDGs and also an engine to drive Rwanda to become a High Income Country by 2050.