KIGALI, Rwanda — In a significant move to expand energy options and strengthen bilateral ties, the United States and Rwanda have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation (NCMOU).
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, by Renee Sonderman, the Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, and Dr. Usta Kayitesi, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
According to a media note released by the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda, the NCMOU serves as a diplomatic framework to advance peaceful civil nuclear cooperation between the two nations. The partnership is designed to foster collaboration on clean, reliable, and secure energy development while strictly adhering to the highest global standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.
Originally introduced as diplomatic tools during President Trump’s first term in office, NCMOUs are structured to lay the groundwork for expanding long-term strategic relationships and nuclear partnerships with key international allies.
Stepping Into Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Beyond the overarching diplomatic framework, the occasion marked an immediate, actionable step toward nuclear infrastructure development in Rwanda.
In tandem with the NCMOU signing, U.S.-based energy technology company Holtec International and the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) signed a comprehensive Development Agreement. This commercial pact specifically targets the future deployment of Holtec’s SMR-300—a 300-megawatt small modular reactor—in Rwanda.
Small modular reactors have increasingly become a focal point for emerging economies seeking to diversify their power grids. Unlike traditional, large-scale nuclear power plants, SMRs feature a smaller footprint, lower upfront capital costs, and modular construction, making them highly adaptable for nations aiming to rapidly scale up clean energy capacity.
A Joint Commitment to Clean Energy
The dual agreements signal Rwanda’s serious ambitions to integrate nuclear technology into its national energy mix to power its growing economy. By partnering with the United States, Rwanda gains access to crucial technical expertise and industry-leading safety protocols.
The U.S. Embassy stated that both nations remain deeply committed to ensuring that as this partnership advances, it will heavily prioritize nonproliferation and strict regulatory oversight.
For further inquiries regarding the agreement, the U.S. Embassy in Kigali has directed communications to their public diplomacy office at [email protected].
