(3-minute read)
Rwanda and Qatar have taken a major step in strengthening their rapidly growing partnership, as President Paul Kagame hosted Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for a two-day working visit focused on boosting cooperation in key strategic sectors.
The Emir arrived at Kigali International Airport on Thursday, November 20, before joining President Kagame in Bugesera District at the President’s private farm in Kibugabuga for bilateral talks. According to officials, this visit underscores the growing diplomatic and economic influence of both nations as they work to consolidate their roles in Africa and the Gulf.
Over the past decade, Rwanda and Qatar have cemented a strong relationship based on collaboration in aviation, investment, tourism, technology, and security. Qatar holds a 60% stake in RwandAir and is a major investor in the new $2 billion Bugesera International Airport, currently under construction. Once completed, this airport is expected to handle over 14 million passengers annually, becoming one of the most modern aviation hubs in East Africa.
Officials from both sides describe the partnership as long-term and mutually beneficial. Qatar’s chargé d’affaires in Rwanda emphasized that the Emir’s visit comes at a time when Rwanda has become a key regional partner. He noted that cooperation extends into the fields of transport, technology, education, and security.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Qatar highlighted ongoing joint initiatives, such as the Bugesera Airport and Kigali Innovation City, an ambitious project aimed at positioning Rwanda as a continental hub for technology and knowledge.
Security remains another vital pillar of the partnership. Qatar has supported Rwanda in military training and cybersecurity and has participated in broader peace-building efforts in the region.
During the visit, President Kagame hosted the Emir at his rural farm, where he gifted him Inyambo cows – an enduring symbol of Rwandan heritage. This gesture, deeply rooted in Rwandan tradition, represents friendship, respect, and lasting bonds between the leaders. According to the presidency, the exchange of cows is one of the most esteemed cultural expressions of goodwill in Rwanda.
This is Sheikh Tamim’s second visit to Rwanda since 2019, a year when several agreements were signed in the fields of culture, sports, tourism, business events, and aviation. Earlier this year, Qatar approved a draft mutual visa-waiver agreement that will allow holders of ordinary Rwandan passports to enter the Gulf country without restrictions, strengthening tourism, business, and interpersonal ties.
The ongoing two-day visit is expected to result in additional cooperation agreements, further solidifying the strategic partnership as Rwanda and Qatar pursue shared economic and geopolitical ambitions.