Sochi, Russia, 24 October, 2019: The Government of Rwanda and Russian Federation have signed an intergovernmental agreement for the establishment of a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

The deal was signed on the sidelines of the just-concluded Russia-Africa Economic Summit which was held in Sochi, Russia.

Minister of Infrastructure Hon. Claver Gatete signed on behalf of Rwanda whereas the Director General of Russian State-owned nuclear group Rosatom Alexey Likhachev signed on behalf of Russia.

The agreement lays ground for the establishment of Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) with the latest technology of a 10 MW pool- type reactor in Rwanda. Going by the agreement, the center will feature six multi-purpose sections; Research Reactors and Lab Complex, Centre for Nuclear Medicine, Multipurpose Irradiation Center, and Radiobiology Laboratory and Greenhouse.

Other sections will include Education and Training Complex and Radiation Material Science Complex. The selection of the six laboratories of the centre follow consideration on ensuring impact on key sectors. The sectors to be impacted by the development include medical research, energy, agriculture, security, industry and exploration, education, geology and the environment.

In December 2018, Rwanda and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on peaceful uses of nuclear energy in Moscow.