President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Paul Kagame have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda through renewed diplomatic engagement, expanded trade cooperation and activation of pending agreements between the two countries.
The understanding was reached during a meeting at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali shortly after Tinubu arrived in Rwanda.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, both leaders emphasised the need to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), an agreement signed by Nigeria and Rwanda in 2021, to advance shared economic and diplomatic interests.
The leaders also agreed that Nigeria would host the next meeting of the commission.
The statement noted that Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s willingness to consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free entry policy for Nigerians as part of efforts to strengthen people-to-people relations and promote Pan-African cooperation.
Both presidents reviewed pending Memoranda of Understanding covering tourism development, anti-corruption collaboration and efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, pledging to activate the agreements.
They also exchanged views on operationalising the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) between the two countries, reaffirming their support for deeper continental economic integration.
In the aviation and regional trade sector, Nigeria is opening discussions with RwandAir to expand export opportunities for Nigerian businesses across Africa.
The initiative follows Nigeria’s earlier establishment of an air cargo corridor with Uganda Airlines aimed at boosting intra-African trade and easing the movement of goods.
President Tinubu is in Kigali to participate in the 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum, a gathering of African leaders, investors and business executives focused on economic transformation and regional integration.
He was received at the Kigali International Airport by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, alongside Rwanda’s Defence Minister, Juvenal Marizamunda.
Also present to welcome the President were the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ibrahim Zanna; and the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
The Africa CEO Forum, founded in 2012 by Jeune Afrique Media and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation, has grown into one of Africa’s largest annual gatherings of private sector leaders and policymakers.
This year’s edition is themed, “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership.”
Tinubu is expected to deliver a keynote address titled, “Holding the Line: Nigeria’s Reform Bet in a Fractured World,” where he will highlight ongoing economic reforms and Nigeria’s strategy for sustaining growth amid global economic uncertainties.
The President is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with African and global business leaders to deepen investment partnerships and strengthen Nigeria’s economic ties across the continent, while reaffirming the country’s commitment to African unity, regional cooperation and private sector-driven development.
