Russia and Rwanda established diplomatic relations in 1963, shortly after Rwanda’s independence. Today, the relationship remains robust, with cooperation spanning politics, military affairs, education, human resource development, and cultural exchange.
Alexander Polyakov, the new Russian Ambassador to Kigali, has highlighted upcoming discussions involving a delegation from Rosatom, the Russian nuclear energy corporation. The delegation will explore significant bilateral projects, including the construction of a nuclear science center and a small nuclear power plant in Rwanda using Russian technology. Polyakov cautioned that while these are complex and sensitive issues, they require thorough preparation, advising against overly optimistic expectations for the immediate future.
In 2018, Russia and Rwanda agreed to collaborate on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, aiming to enhance Rwanda’s nuclear infrastructure and promote nuclear technology across various sectors.
Additionally, Russia and Rwanda are planning to establish an intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation. The draft agreement for this commission is currently under review by Rwandan authorities.
Polyakov also noted the potential for collaboration in IT and cybersecurity, highlighting Rwanda’s leadership in digitization across Africa and Russia’s expertise in electronic services and cybersecurity. He mentioned that Rwanda was the location where Kaspersky Lab, a Russian multinational cybersecurity provider, opened its second office in sub-Saharan Africa, following South Africa, and its first Transparency Center on the continent last year.
