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Powering Africa’s Future. Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality.

As Africa accelerates towards a new phase of nuclear energy delivery, Heads of Government, Policy Makers, Financiers, Regulators and Nuclear Energy technology and service providers will convene to focus on shared direction, fit-for-purpose financing approaches, and structured deployment pathways, particularly for small modular reactors and micro modular reactors.

Paul Kagame

"Last year, the World Bank decided to end the ban on financing nuclear power projects. At COP28, governments called on international financing institutions to include nuclear energy in their portfolios. Now is the time to work together to make this shift urgently in Africa."

H.E. Paul Kagame

The President of the Republic of Rwanda

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NEISA 2026 is hosted by H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda. The summit is organised in collaboration with leading international and regional partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Nuclear Energy Agency, the World Nuclear Association and World Nuclear Exhibtion.

Strategic Partners and Featured Leaders


Rafael Mariano Grossi

Rafael Mariano Grossi

Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Dr. Sama Bilbao y León

Dr. Sama Bilbao y León

Director General, World Nuclear Association (WNA)
Dr. Elan Voss

William D. Magwood, IV

Director General, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
Naomi Hargrove

Sylvie Bermann

Ambassador of France, President of World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE)
Dr. Lassina Zerbo

Dr. Lassina Zerbo

Energy Advisor Office of The President, Chairman Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB)

Strategic Partners


Other Partners

Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation requires reliable, large scale energy systems.

Renewable energy alone cannot provide the continuous baseload power and process heat needed to sustain industrial growth and long-term energy security. Advances in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs) have made nuclear energy a practical, scalable, and safer option for African contexts. SMRs and MMRs offer modular deployment, enhanced safety features, and faster delivery timelines.

The second edition of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa will convene governments, regulators, financiers, industry, and technology partners at a critical moment to move from ambition to execution.

Strategic Pillars

Inclusive Financing & Risk Sharing

Enable viable nuclear investment models suited to African contexts.

Demand Led Deployment

Anchor nuclear projects in real economic and industrial demand.

Private Sector Enabled Delivery

Translate finance and demand into deliverable projects.

Localisation, Skills & African Value Chains

Ensure nuclear deployment delivers long-term domestic value.

Governance, Regulation & Investor Confidence

Establish strong institutional foundations for safe, credible deployment.

Expected Outcomes from the Summit


01
Establishment of a Nuclear Energy Financing Reference Framework
02
Initiation of Regional Cooperation and Aggregation Workstreams
03
Demand Signals from Industry and Utilities to Anchor Bankability.
05
Consolidated Priorities for Regulatory and Institutional Readiness
Post-Summit Action Framework (2026–2027)

Who attends NEISA


Political & Policy Leadership

Setting direction, authority, and national commitment

  • Heads of State & Government
  • Ministers (Energy, Infrastructure, Finance)
  • Continental & Regional Integration Bodies (AUC, AfCFTA)

Regulation, Safety & Standards

Ensuring safety, governance, and credibility

  • Nuclear Regulators
  • Promoters & Safety Authorities
  • Standards & Norm-Setting
  • Technical Bodies

Capital & Risk Mobilisation

Mobilising finance and

managing risk

  • Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)
  • Private Investors & Financial Institutions
  • Philanthropists
  • Export Credit Agencies (ECAs)
  • Insurance & Risk Underwriting

Technology, Delivery & Supply Chains

Designing, building, and operating nuclear solutions

  • Technology Providers & Project Developers
  • Supply Chain & Manufacturing Partners

Demand & System Operators

Anchoring projects through real energy demand

  • Utilities & Power Pools
  • Industrial & Commercial Off-Takers

Legal, Contracting & Governance Advisory

Making projects bankable and enforceable

  • Legal, Contracting & Liability Experts

Skills, Research & Workforce Development

Building Africa’s nuclear energy workforce

  • Academia, Research & Skills Institutions
  • Youth & Women in Nuclear Networks

Public Trust, Media & Engagement

Shaping understanding and social licence

  • Civil Society Organisations
  • Media & Commentators

Speakers

Raphael Grossi
Raphael Grossi
Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Dr. Sama Bilbao y León
Dr. Sama Bilbao y León
Director General, World Nuclear Association (WNA)
William D. Magwood, IV
William D. Magwood, IV
Director General, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
Sylvie Bermann
Sylvie Bermann
Ambassador of France, President of World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE)
NEISA 2026 - Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa

Program Overview

All Day
Registration & Badge Collection
Foyer 1A
2:00pm – 4:30pm
Technical Preparatory Sessions for Ministerial Compact Roundtables
Working-level, pre-ministerial session convening senior technical officials to align priorities, structure key discussion areas, and strengthen the effectiveness of Ministerial deliberations.
Working Session | By Invitation | Room AD12
Technical Preparatory Sessions for Regulators Program
Working-level, pre-ministerial session working session for senior technical officials to align national positions, refine key issues, and ensure focused, outcome-oriented Regulatory discussions.
Working Session | By Invitation | Room AD12
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Welcome Reception
By Invitation
9:30am – 10:30am
Arrivals & Networking
11:00am – 12:30pm
Opening Ceremony
Remarks & Keynote addresses
High-Level Leadership Dialogue: Global Leadership Perspectives on Financing Africa's Nuclear Energy Future
A high-level dialogue examining how governments, multilateral institutions, and global partners can mobilise capital, manage risk, and unlock financing pathways to support the safe, investable, and long-term deployment of nuclear energy in Africa.
Discussion Focus
  • Financing barriers to nuclear energy deployment
  • Role of multilateral and public finance
  • Risk-sharing frameworks
  • International cooperation for investment
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
Speakers
Daniel
Daniel B. Poneman
Moderator
Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
Dr. Sama Bilbao y León
Dr. Sama Bilbao y León
Director General, World Nuclear Association (WNA)
William D. Magwood, IV
William D. Magwood, IV
Director General, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
Sylvie Bermann
Sylvie Bermann
Ambassador of France, President of World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE)
Serge Ekué
Serge Ekué
President, West African Development Bank (WADB)
Hanan Morsy
Hanan Morsy
Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme) and Chief Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
Renee Sonderman
Renee Sonderman
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, U.S. Department of State
12:25pm – 1:45pm
Lunch
2:00pm – 3:15pm
Plenary: Africa's Nuclear Energy Investment Case
This plenary explores the economic and strategic case for nuclear energy in Africa, highlighting how industrial demand, sovereign commitment, and innovative financing can transform nuclear projects from policy ambition into bankable infrastructure opportunities.
Discussion Focus
  • Role of nuclear in industrial growth
  • Demand as a driver of bankability
  • Financing structures and sovereign support
  • Global project lessons
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
Speakers
Dr. Donald Kaberuka
Dr. Donald Kaberuka
Managing Partner, Southbridge
Liu Jing
Liu Jing
Vice Chairman, China Atomic Energy Authority
Hon. Kandeh Yumkella
Hon. Kandeh Yumkella
Chairman, Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF)
Erik Fernstrom
Erik Fernstrom
Regional Director for Infrastructure for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank
Lucy Chege
Lucy Chege
Associate Executive, Project & Infrastructure Finance Department, Trade and Development Bank Group
Kevin Kariuki
Kevin Kariuki
Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate & Green Growth, Africa Development Bank (AFDB)
Dr. Yohannes G. Hailu
Dr. Yohannes G. Hailu
Moderator
Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Ministerial Compact Roundtable: Financing Africa's Nuclear Future
This closed roundtable examines how nuclear energy projects in Africa can become investable, focusing on financing structures, risk allocation, and policy signals required to mobilise capital and move projects from ambition to financing readiness.
Discussion Focus
  • Risk allocation and sovereign exposure
  • Financing structures
  • Investor requirements
  • Pathways to investability
Roundtable | By Invitation | Room AD12
B2B Meetings & Bi-laterals
B2B Lounge
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Public Trust Dialogues
These dialogues explore how transparency, governance, and community engagement shape public confidence in nuclear energy programmes, highlighting leadership approaches to building trust and ensuring long-term societal support for nuclear deployment.
Discussion Focus
  • Drivers of public trust
  • Role of regulators and governments
  • Communication strategies
  • International lessons
Thematic session | Open to All Participants | Room MH1
Speakers
Speaker
Loyiso Tyabashe
Group Chief Executive Officer, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa)
Speaker
Evariste RUGIGANA
Director General, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA)
Speaker
Dr. Tamara Yankovich
Deputy Head, Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety, OECD Nuclear Energy Agencyy
Speaker
James Orengo
Governor, Siaya County, Government of Kenya
Speaker
Lars Van Dassen
Executive Director, World Institute of Nuclear Security
Speaker
Laura Holgate
President, LSHH International Advisors
Speaker
Sarah G.J. Lennon
International Nuclear Policy Advisor, NANO Nuclear Energy
Speaker
Roy Payne
Executive Director, GDFWatch
Speaker
Nozipho Tshabalala
Moderator
CEO of the Conversation Strategists
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Networking Cocktail
9:30am – 10:30am
Plenary: Mining, AI, Manufacturing: Anchoring the Case for Nuclear Energy Deployment
This session examines how industrial and utility demand can anchor nuclear energy deployment, demonstrating how long-term offtake models and demand aggregation strengthen project bankability and position nuclear energy as a driver of industrial competitiveness and growth.
Discussion Focus
  • Role of industrial off-takers
  • Long-term PPAs and demand aggregation
  • Sector-specific demand (mining, AI, manufacturing)
  • Impact on financing and reactor choices
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
Speakers
Speaker
Hon. Paula Ingabire
Ministry of ICT & Innovation, Government of Rwanda
Speaker
Alice UWASE
Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB)
Speaker
Amath Pathe Sene
Managing Director, AFSF Secretariat
Speaker
Amandeep Singh Gill
United Nations Secretary General's Envoy on Technology, UN
Speaker
Aristide Ali Boyarm
CEO, DEVCHAMPIO
Speaker
Ma Wenjun
Vice President of CNNC
Speaker
Magali Koyo
Moderator
Director / Senior Manager, Data Center Reliability, Microsoft
10:45am - 12:30pm
Ministerial Compact Roundtable: Advancing Nuclear Ambitions through Cooperation
This roundtable focuses on implementation pathways, examining how governments, regulators, utilities, and financiers can coordinate to translate financing readiness into credible nuclear energy deployment through institutional alignment, capacity building, and regional cooperation.
Discussion Focus
  • Implementation roadmaps
  • Institutional coordination
  • Capacity priorities
  • Regional cooperation
Roundtable | By Invitation | Room AD12
10:45am - 11:45am
Legal, Advisory & Transactional Frameworks for Nuclear Energy Projects
This session examines the legal, contractual, and advisory frameworks required to support nuclear energy projects, focusing on how risk allocation, regulatory clarity, and structured agreements can strengthen investor confidence and enable bankable project development.
Discussion Focus
  • Contracting and risk allocation
  • Role of ECAs and guarantees
  • Legal frameworks for investor confidence
  • Lessons from global transactions
Thematic session | Open to All Participants | Room MH1
Speakers
Speaker
Jeffrey Merrifield
Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Speaker
Christelle Jeanne Yvonne Drillat
Legislative Assistance Programme Lead, IAEA
Speaker
Hend Elkharboutl
Senior Associate advising on nuclear energy matters, GNE - Global Nuclear Energy Advisory
Speaker
Dimono Danielle
Senior Nuclear Projects Buyer
Speaker
Dr. Ariel Levite
Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Speaker
Justin Friedman
Founder & Senior Advisor, Friedman Global Strategies
Speaker
Dr. Francesca Giovannini
Moderator
Executive Director, Harvard Kennedy School - Belfer Center
11:45am - 12:30pm
Technology Showcase
Showcase | Open to All Participants | MH1
Speakers
Speaker
Prof. Eugene Shwageraus
CTO, Cambridge AtomWorks
Speaker
Taechul Park
Director, Project Management, Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) Development Agency
Speaker
Olga Martianova
Deputy DG for Marketing and Strategy, ROSATOM Energy Projects
Speaker
Fuqi Wei
Vice President, CNNC Overseas
Speaker
William Bizollon
Business Development Engineer, Holtec International
Speaker
Dr. Kwisanga Christian
Moderator
Senior Lecturer, University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology
B2B Meetings & Bi-laterals
B2B Lounge
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm – 3:00pm
Plenary: SMR Deployment Readiness
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
Speakers
Speaker
Dr. Sama Bilbao y León
Director General, World Nuclear Association (WNA)
Speaker
Fuqi Wei
Vice President, CNNC Overseas
Speaker
Rafael Marin
Director, Holtec Europe
Speaker
Irfan Hasan
Managing Director, Bertin Technologies and GIFEN Pilot Club Africa
Speaker
Nana Menya Ayensu
CEO, Zorro Energy Solutions
Speaker
Dr. Fidele Ndahayo
CEO, Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB)
Speaker
Velaphi Ntuli
Chief Nuclear Officer, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
Speaker
Alexey Semenov
Head for Business Development, Advisor, ROSATOM Central and Southern Africa
Speaker
Wei Huang
Moderator
Director, Division of Planning, Information and Knowledge Management, IAEA
3:15pm – 4:30pm
Regulators Roundtable: Regulatory Readiness for Nuclear Deployment in Africa
This closed roundtable brings together regulatory leaders to examine how licensing systems, institutional capacity, and international standards can support timely and credible nuclear energy deployment, while strengthening investor confidence and avoiding delays in project development.
Discussion Focus
  • Licensing pathways and timelines
  • SMR regulatory frameworks
  • Harmonisation and standards
  • Regulatory impact on investment
Roundtable | By Invitation | Room AD12
Finance Clinic
Inside the Dealroom: Structuring Capital for Nuclear Energy Projects
These technical sessions focus on the practical steps required to move nuclear energy projects from policy ambition to financing readiness, exploring project structuring, institutional coordination, and financing strategies through case studies and interactive discussion.
Discussion Focus
  • Project preparation and structuring
  • Financing models for newcomer countries
  • Institutional coordination
  • Lessons from global projects
Thematic session | Open to All Participants | Room MH1
Speakers
Speaker
Nana Menya Ayensu
CEO, Zorro Energy Solutions
Speaker
Vincent C. Zabielski
Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
B2B Meetings & Bi-laterals
B2B Lounge
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Plenary: Regional Cooperation & Deployment at Scale
This session examines how regional cooperation can enable nuclear energy deployment at scale by pooling resources, aligning regulatory frameworks, and strengthening investment credibility across African markets facing shared constraints and opportunities.
Discussion Focus
  • Regional market aggregation
  • Regulatory alignment
  • Shared infrastructure
  • Role of regional institutions
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
Speakers
Speaker
Gaspard Liyoko MBOYO
Chairperson, AFCONE - African Commission on Nuclear Energy
Speaker
Eng. Khadija BENDAM
President, International Nuclear Society Council (INSC)
Speaker
Eng. James Karari Wahogo
Secretary General, Eastern Africa Power Pool
Speaker
Paul koffi koffi
Commissioner, West African Economic and Monitary Union
Speaker
Hon. Deogratius John Ndejembi
Minister for Energy, Tanzania
Speaker
Hon. Robert Koffi Messan Eklo
Minister of Mines & Energy Resources, Togo
Speaker
Elsie Pule
Moderator
Head Coordinator, BRICS Nuclear Platform
5:30pm – 6:00pm
Networking Cocktail
NEISA NEXTGEN
Powering Africa's Nuclear Future
9:15am – 10:15am
Human Capacity Development: Building Africa's Nuclear Workforce
This session examines the workforce requirements for nuclear energy deployment, focusing on how governments, universities, industry, and international partners can develop the technical and institutional capacity needed to support nuclear programmes.
Discussion Focus
  • Workforce requirements across the nuclear value chain
  • Role of universities and training institutions
  • Regulatory and technical capacity development
  • International partnerships and knowledge transfer
  • Attracting and developing the next generation of nuclear professionals
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
Speakers
Speaker
Didier Acouétey
Founder, Africsearch
Speaker
Gashaw Gebeyehu Wolde
Acting Director TCAF, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Speaker
Prof. Samuel DAMPARE
Director General, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Speaker
Lisa Marshall
Assistant Extension Professor & Director of Outreach, Retention & Engagement, North Carolina State University, Department of Nuclear Engineering (Immediate Past President, American Nuclear Society)
Speaker
Alexander Kormishin
Director of the Center for International Partnerships, Rosatom Corporate Academy
Speaker
Dr. Sola Talabi
President, Pittsburgh Technical
Speaker
Dr.Tracey-Ann Wellington
Moderator
Deputy Head of the Office of Policy and Coordination, OECD NEA
10:15am – 10:45am
Catalysing Public Interest and Early Stage Capacity for Nuclear Energy in Africa| Philanthropic Role in the Nuclear Space
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
10:50am – 1:50pm
Youth in Nuclear
Track 1:
Understanding the Nuclear Ecosystem: What Does It Mean to Work in Nuclear Energy?
This opening session will provide an overview of the diverse professional roles required to support civilian nuclear programs.
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Room MH1
Speaker
TBC
Presenter
Speaker
TBC
Presenter
Speaker
TBC
Presenter
Track 2:
Career Development Session: "Building Your Path in Nuclear"
This interactive session will connect youth with fellowship programs, research centres, and international institutions.
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Room MH1
Speaker
TBC
Presenter
Speaker
TBC
Presenter
Speaker
TBC
Presenter
Track 3:
Hands-On Policy Simulation: "Nuclear Decision-Making Under Constraints"
This interactive workshop will engage youth in real-world nuclear governance scenarios, strengthen analytical and negotiation skills & foster teamwork and interdisciplinary thinking.
Workshops | KCC
Speaker
TBC
Facilitator
Speaker
TBC
Facilitator
Speaker
TBC
Facilitator
1:15pm – 1:45pm
Closing Ceremony: From Commitment to Implementation: The Future of Nuclear Energy in Africa
This forward-looking closing dialogue will bring together leaders to translate Summit outcomes into concrete next steps, signalling a collective pathway for advancing the implementation of nuclear energy across Africa.
Plenary | Open to All Participants | Main Auditorium
1:45pm – 2:45pm
Lunch & B2B Meetings
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How to attend NEISA 2026

NEISA 2026 is an invitation only summit designed to convene a carefully curated group of leaders, decision-makers, and practitioners across Africa's nuclear energy ecosystem.

Invitations are issued to participants whose roles, expertise, and institutional mandates are directly relevant to the Summit's strategic pillars, including policy, regulation, finance, technology, industry, skills development, and public trust.

Request an Invitation

Discount Travel for NEISA Summit

RwandAir

15% off Economy
15% off Business Saver
20% off Business Flexi

Booking is simple — just enter code NUC26 at checkout on the RwandAir website or app and watch the price drop.

Book by: 21st May 2026

Travel window: 5th May – 4th June 2026

Book your ticket now →

Kenya Airways

15% off fares for delegates traveling to Kigali

The discount applies from the network to KGL.

  • Sales Period: Immediate – 21st May 2026
  • Travel Period: 12 May 2026 - 30 May 2026
  • Operating Carrier: Only KQ
  • Mode of Sales: All KQ offices, website, and Mobile App
  • Promocode Name: NEI26RW
  • Journey Type: RT
Book your ticket now →

Partnering & Exhibiting at NEISA 2026

NEISA 2026 offers a limited number of curated partnership and exhibition opportunities for organisations supporting Africa’s nuclear energy and industrialisation agenda.

Opportunities are suited to organisations seeking meaningful participation through expertise, insight, delivery capability, or ecosystem development.

Learn more
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