President Samia Hassan of Tanzanian has called for stronger cooperation among African countries and international partners to advance peaceful and sustainable nuclear energy development.

Ms Hassan made the call at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda. She described the summit as an important platform to help Africa move “from ambition to implementation” in developing reliable and sustainable energy systems.

She said Africa’s economic transformation depended on affordable and sustainable energy capable of supporting industrialisation, mining, transport modernisation and digital infrastructure development.

Ms Hassan also said that Tanzania’s growing electricity demand driven by industrial expansion, urbanisation and digital transformation under the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, required diversified long-term energy solutions.

“It is in this context that Tanzania is advancing consideration of nuclear energy as part of our long-term energy diversification strategy,” Ms Hassan said.

She noted the country’s interest in emerging technologies such as small modular reactors and micro modular reactors.

The Tanzanian president also emphasised the importance of financing, regulatory preparedness, skilled human resources and regional cooperation in ensuring the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Ms Hassan also met President Paul Kagame of Rwandan with the two leaders witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation between Tanzania and Rwanda.

(Xinhua/NAN)