Discover how African leaders at NEISA 2026 are leveraging nuclear energy and SMRs to bridge the power gap, drive AI infrastructure, and fuel industrial growth.⁠

At the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit (NEISA 2026) in Kigali, African heads of state championed nuclear power as a vital pillar for the continent’s sustainable development, industrialization, and future tech economy.

President Paul Kagame highlighted Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a practical solution to escalating energy demands, urging regional unity over isolated efforts. He noted:

“For Africa, energy is not simply a development issue; it is the foundation of industrial growth and competitiveness. Modern manufacturing, mineral processing, digital infrastructure and advanced healthcare all depend on reliable power.”

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan addressed financing hurdles and rejected the idea that clean energy sources must conflict, stating:

“Nuclear energy should not be viewed as competing with renewable energy, but rather complementing a broader effort to build resilient and reliable energy systems.”

Emphasizing that renewables alone cannot anchor energy-heavy industries like AI and manufacturing, Togo’s Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé advocated for a unified African financial framework and total ownership of the transition, declaring:

“African nuclear energy will not be imported. It will be designed, operated, and governed by Africans for Africans.”