Starting in the first quarter of 2026, Rwanda is set to become a producer of radionuclides, a key chemical for nuclear medicine.
Nuclear medicine is a specialised medical field that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, known as radiotracers, to diagnose and treat diseases by observing physiological functions and cellular activity inside the body.
It uses advanced technologies such as the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, which is expected to be rolled out at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital (RMRTH).
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According to Remy Wilson Bana, the acting division manager for nuclear and radiation safety at Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), Rwanda has already acquired the equipment for production of the radionuclides.
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Until now, the closest source for these critical medical materials was often Egypt or further abroad in Europe.
The domestic production is expected to create at least 100 high-tech jobs for technical staff in the nuclear and radiation fields.
Beyond employment, the move strengthens Rwanda's ambition to become a regional medical hub and reducing the nation's reliance on imported medical isotopes from as far away as Egypt.
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For years, the high cost of traveling abroad for a PET scan, has been a barrier for many.
"Economically, this is a great achievement because most Rwandans have been going abroad, especially in India or Europe, for diagnosis," Bana explained.
He noted that nuclear medicine is unique because it works at a "cellular level," allowing doctors to detect the evolution of cancer cells at a very early stage.
"This will actually save that money people have been using to go to seek diagnosis and the treatments abroad," he added.
The government has partnered with Aegle Onco Care, a medical service provider with roots in Mauritius and India, to facilitate the investment.
The project will see nuclear medicine departments licensed and operational at major facilities, including the RMRTH, and King Faisal Hospital.
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"We are probably going to license four nuclear medicine departments," Bana said.
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Meanwhile, he also hinted at Rwanda's plans to generate eletricity from nuclear energy.
"Currently activities are ongoing to ensure that we have nuclear energy production that will fit Rwanda's electricity demand," Bana noted.
