Alexander Polyakov, the new Russian ambassador to Rwanda, has said that a team of experts from Russian state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom is expected in Rwanda with "concrete proposals” on nuclear projects between the two countries.

Polyakov, who presented his letters of credence to President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, August 28, pledged to "do all my best” in the pursuit of "warm and friendly” bilateral relations, including cooperation in nuclear technology.

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Rwanda and Russia signed an agreement in November 2019, to establish a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Kigali, which would be built by Rosatom.

"We are expecting a delegation from Rosatam, the partner organization, to Kigali where they will meet their Rwandan counterparts to deliberate on the current stance of the project,” Polyakov said, without specifying a date.

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He also said that the establishment of a mini nuclear power plant, a research reactor, and a scientific centre are currently under negotiations.

"The experts are expected to come to Kigali. During this visit they will put on the table their concrete proposals on the shape and design of the two projects,” Polyakov said.

Under the 2019 agreement, the proposed nuclear centre would be equipped with the latest technology of a 10 MW pool-type reactor, featuring six multi-purpose sections; Research Reactors and Lab Complex, Centre for Nuclear Medicine, Multipurpose Irradiation Centre, and Radiobiology Laboratory and Greenhouse.

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Polyakov said his meeting with President Kagame was centred on mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.

"My main task is to make massive efforts to develop all the existing projects of the Rwanda-Russia civil agenda, including the most promising project on nuclear energy, as well as finding new avenues of cooperation in different areas,” he said.

Polyakov, who replaces Karen Chalyan, maintained that Russia and Rwanda had fruitful bilateral relations in several areas of cooperation.

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Rwanda is exploring ways to make use of nuclear technology to produce energy and use it in key areas, including healthcare.

The government has also entered partnerships with other players in the sector to develop nuclear reactors, such as Dual Fluid Energy, a Canadian-German firm, which signed an agreement in September 2023.

In mid-August, the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board signed an agreement with American firm Nano Nuclear to develop small modular and micro reactors.