President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Paul Kagame have agreed to strengthen relations between Nigeria and Rwanda in a fresh push for trade growth, diplomatic cooperation, and regional integration.
The two leaders reached the agreement during a high-level meeting at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa shortly after Tinubu arrived in Kigali for the Africa CEO Forum. His visit followed participation in the recent Africa-France Summit.
Both presidents placed strong focus on reviving the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission signed in 2021. The platform is expected to drive cooperation in strategic sectors and create faster implementation of shared projects between both nations.
Tinubu also said Nigeria would seriously consider matching Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free policy for Nigerians. That move could unlock tourism, business travel, and people-to-people connections while advancing the Pan-African vision of easier movement across the continent.
In addition, both leaders reviewed pending agreements covering tourism, anti-corruption efforts, and the fight against illicit drugs. They pledged to activate the deals quickly and turn diplomatic promises into measurable results.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Tinubu and Kagame exchanged ideas on how Nigeria and Rwanda can use the trade framework to increase commerce, create jobs, and support industrial growth.
Nigeria is also opening talks with RwandAir to improve cargo and export opportunities for Nigerian businesses across Africa. The initiative follows Nigeria’s earlier air cargo corridor with Uganda Airlines, designed to speed up trade and movement of goods across borders.
Tinubu was welcomed at Kigali International Airport by senior Nigerian and Rwandan officials, including Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Rwanda’s Defence Minister Juvenal Marizamunda.
The Africa CEO Forum remains one of the continent’s biggest gatherings of investors, policymakers, and business leaders. This year’s theme, The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership, reflects the growing demand for larger cross-border partnerships and African-led growth strategies.
Tinubu is expected to speak on Nigeria’s reform agenda and explain how ongoing economic changes can attract investment despite global uncertainty. He is also scheduled to hold meetings with African and global executives to deepen partnerships and expand Nigeria’s role in continental trade.
The Kigali talks signal a bigger trend across Africa. Nations are now prioritising stronger regional ties, easier movement, and private-sector investment as they race to unlock the continent’s economic potential. For Nigeria and Rwanda, this renewed partnership could become a model for future African cooperation.
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