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RRA orders release of 2 million liters of stored fuel

Mugisha R. John — 2026-06-03T09:07:50Z

The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has ordered petroleum traders to clear nearly 2 million liters of gasoline and diesel that have remained in bonded warehouses for more than six months, giving them 30 days to comply or risk seizure of the products.

In a public notice, the tax authority said the fuel must be declared, duties paid and the products released onto the market within the deadline. It warned that noncompliant stock could be confiscated and sold by customs authorities.

The total volume identified by the RRA is 1,993,750 liters of petroleum products stored in bonded facilities operated by Yussa in Kabuye, Rubis Energy in Gatsata and Oilcom in Jabana.

Diesel makes up the largest share of the stockpile at about 1.35 million liters. The remainder includes 641,055 liters of gasoline and 5,065 liters of kerosene.

According to the published inventory, ownership of 791,832 liters of fuel was not identified.

Companies listed as holding the largest quantities include Mount Meru Petroleum with 368,998 liters, Kivu Energy Ltd with 120,361 liters and Socit Sarl with 65,404 liters.

Other firms on the list include Ukod Oil Rwanda Ltd with 29,121 liters, Hashi Energy with 27,132 liters, China Road with 24,845 liters, Gulf Energy with 18,398 liters, Hunan Road with 16,163 liters and Job Petroleum with 15,232 liters.

The RRA said the fuel had exceeded the legally permitted storage period in bonded warehouses and must now be cleared into the domestic market.

Bonded warehouses are typically used to store imported goods before customs duties are paid or before authorities authorize their release into circulation.

A person familiar with petroleum storage operations told local media that fuel left in storage often belongs to small companies that have ceased operations. Because warehouse operators do not own the products, they cannot sell or distribute them without authorization, the source said.

The RRA list also includes individual owners with fuel stored in bonded facilities, with the smallest recorded quantity listed at three liters.

Rwanda advances nuclear energy plans through global partnerships, government Says

Mugisha R. John — 2026-06-01T10:43:04Z

Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo has said Rwanda is working with multiple international partners, including Russia and the United States, as it advances plans to develop civilian nuclear energy.

In a post on X on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Makolo said Rwanda is building capacity in nuclear energy through cooperation with global institutions, including Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom and newly signed agreements with U.S. entities.

She said the partnerships also include agreements reached during a recent nuclear conference held in Kigali, where Rwanda signed cooperation deals with the U.S. government to strengthen bilateral collaboration in nuclear energy development. The Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) also signed agreements with institutions in the United States, South Africa, and Austria.

“Rwanda is working with various international partners to develop our civilian nuclear energy capacity,” Makolo said. “In addition to Rosatom, we recently signed cooperation agreements with the United States government and other institutions.”

Makolo added that feasibility studies for a small nuclear power plant using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology are ongoing, alongside plans to establish a national center of excellence for nuclear science and technology.

“Studies for building an SMR-based nuclear plant and a center of excellence in nuclear science and technology are progressing,” she said.

She also noted growing interest from financial institutions, saying development banks are increasingly exploring funding mechanisms for nuclear energy projects in developing countries.

Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev previously confirmed ongoing cooperation with Rwanda, stating in May 2026 that the company is working with several countries, including Rwanda, on nuclear power development projects.

Rwanda began cooperation with Russia in 2018, initially focusing on nuclear research infrastructure, with long-term plans to develop electricity generation capacity.

A nuclear sector assessment conducted in early 2026 concluded that Rwanda had made strong progress in meeting key requirements for developing nuclear energy infrastructure.

The government aims to operationalize a nuclear power plant by the early 2030s.

During the International Conference on Nuclear Energy in Africa held in Kigali, Rwanda also signed agreements with U.S.-based Holtec International, which develops Small Modular Reactor technology, including the SMR-300 model intended for Rwanda.

Additional agreements were signed with the United States government covering education, capacity building, and technical cooperation in nuclear energy. These include scholarships for Rwandan students, project financing discussions, and regulatory support.

On May 20, 2026, Rwanda also signed cooperation agreements with South Africa's Allweld Training Academy and Austria-based World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS), focusing on training, safety, and nuclear security capacity building.

Officials say the partnerships are intended to support Rwanda's long-term goal of integrating nuclear energy into its national development strategy.

President Kagame Attends Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris

Administrator — 2026-03-10T12:38:37Z

President Paul Kagame attended the second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, joining leaders from around the world, officials from international organizations, and heads of financial institutions.

The summit focused on the future use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes and its potential role in advancing national energy and economic development.

Rwanda has committed to promoting nuclear energy and aims to become a leading country in this field on the African continent.

The president's participation comes shortly after an assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Rwanda's readiness to develop a nuclear power plant. The evaluation, which began on March 2 and concluded on March 9, 2026, examined whether Rwanda meets the requirements for establishing a nuclear facility.

To harness nuclear energy, Rwanda plans to build a small nuclear power plant by 2030, increasing the country's electricity supply and developing local expertise, aiming to train at least 300 nuclear energy specialists by that time.

Currently, South Africa is the only African country with an operational nuclear power plant, while Egypt and Rwanda are among the nations developing projects in this sector.

President Kagame's attendance at the summit reflects Rwanda's ambition to advance its energy sector and integrate nuclear power as a key component of its long-term development strategy.

IAEA Begins Review of Rwanda's Nuclear Energy Preparedness

Administrator — 2026-03-04T08:52:01Z

The United Nations nuclear watchdog has begun assessing Rwanda's readiness to develop nuclear power infrastructure, as the country moves forward with plans to generate electricity from nuclear energy by 2030.

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency launched the review on March 2. The assessment, which runs through March 9, will examine whether Rwanda meets key requirements for establishing nuclear power facilities.

The evaluation covers 19 infrastructure elements, including national policy and regulatory frameworks, financing strategies and the country's capacity to manage nuclear safety, security and emergency preparedness.

Dr. Fidele Ndahayo, head of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, said Rwanda has invested in nuclear science education, medical equipment using nuclear technology and institutional development. He described the review as a benchmark to identify gaps and strengthen readiness.

IAEA team leader Aline des Cloizeaux said the agency does not decide whether a country can build nuclear plants but provides recommendations to help governments improve their preparedness.

Rwanda plans to deploy small modular reactors, or SMRs, capable of generating at least 100 megawatts of electricity per unit. In 2023, Rwanda signed an agreement with Dual Fluid Energy Inc., a German-Canadian company, to test advanced reactor technology.

Officials say nuclear power could support energy security while reducing carbon emissions.

Rwanda Plans $5 Billion Nuclear Power Plant to Boost Electricity Supply

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-25T08:40:56Z

Rwanda plans to invest more than $5 billion in a nuclear power plant aimed at increasing electricity access across the country, officials said.

Dr. Fidel Ndahayo, director general of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB), made the announcement Feb. 24 during a meeting co-hosted by RAEB, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

“The country cannot implement this project alone,” Dr. Ndahayo said. “It would be a loss if all the work is done by foreigners without involving our local industries.”

The meeting highlighted opportunities for private sector participation in Rwanda's first nuclear power initiative. Officials stressed that building the plant requires between $5 billion and $6 billion and would demand high-quality standards to ensure safety and efficiency.

Dr. Ndahayo said the nuclear plant is part of a broader strategy to meet growing national electricity demands. “This project will contribute significantly to our electricity supply and support industrial development nationwide,” he said.

Antoine Marie Kajangwe, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, told industrial leaders that participating in the project could benefit their operations. “Your industries, including cement, steel, and construction materials, require substantial electricity,” he said. “A nuclear plant will help increase productivity and support economic growth.”

The government expects the first nuclear power plant to be operational by 2030, with the recruitment of roughly 230 employees by 2028. The plant will be built on 15 to 50 hectares of land located away from residential areas. Authorities emphasized that the facility poses no significant safety risks, as it is designed to automatically shut down if any operational issue occurs, preventing the release of harmful radiation.

Rwanda's nuclear energy program represents a significant step in diversifying the country's energy sources, which currently rely heavily on hydroelectric and solar power. Officials hope the project will create new opportunities for local industries while contributing to sustainable national development.