People attend the opening ceremony of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA 2026) in Kigali, Rwanda, on May 19, 2026. Held under the theme "Powering Africa's Future: Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality," the summit focuses on moving nuclear energy from policy discussions into bankable, scalable projects through improved financing, regulation, and regional coordination. The second edition of NEISA will run until Thursday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

KIGALI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Africa must not remain a passive participant in the global energy transition but instead help shape the systems and institutions defining it, leaders said Tuesday at the opening of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA) in the Rwandan capital Kigali.

The second edition of NEISA, which runs until Thursday, has brought together several heads of state, policymakers, regulators, financiers, and international organizations to advance nuclear energy development across the continent.

Held under the theme "Powering Africa's Future: Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality," the summit focuses on moving nuclear energy from policy discussions into bankable, scalable projects through improved financing, regulation, and regional coordination.

Speaking at the summit, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that nuclear energy is increasingly part of the global clean energy transition and should be integrated into Africa's long-term development strategy.

"We are moving the conversation beyond ambition to practical coordination and financing mechanisms that can sustain deployment at scale," he said.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi said energy security is central to Africa's development, noting that nearly 600 million people on the continent still lack access to electricity.

He said Africa is increasingly central to global nuclear expansion, with several countries pursuing nuclear programs and growing interest in small modular reactors.

The summit will feature high-level head of government dialogues, ministerial sessions, regulatory workshops, and investor roundtables aimed at strengthening financing frameworks, project readiness, and institutional coordination. ■

Rwandan President Paul Kagame delivers his remarks at the opening ceremony of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA 2026) in Kigali, Rwanda, on May 19, 2026. Held under the theme "Powering Africa's Future: Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality," the summit focuses on moving nuclear energy from policy discussions into bankable, scalable projects through improved financing, regulation, and regional coordination. The second edition of NEISA will run until Thursday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi delivers his remarks at the opening ceremony of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA 2026) in Kigali, Rwanda, on May 19, 2026. Held under the theme "Powering Africa's Future: Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality," the summit focuses on moving nuclear energy from policy discussions into bankable, scalable projects through improved financing, regulation, and regional coordination. The second edition of NEISA will run until Thursday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)