Tinubu, Kagame deepen Nigeria–Rwanda cooperation, push AfCFTA agenda

Africa, Politics

KIGALI, Rwanda (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen economic cooperation between their countries, with renewed focus on trade, regional integration and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting at the Urugwiro Presidential Village in Kigali shortly after Tinubu arrived in Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum.

According to a statement issued by the State House, both leaders resolved to reactivate mechanisms aimed at advancing Nigeria–Rwanda cooperation, particularly through the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC) established in 2021.

The two presidents agreed that Nigeria would host the next meeting of the commission as part of efforts to accelerate cooperation across strategic sectors.

Tinubu, who arrived in Kigali from Nairobi after participating in the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, said African nations must embrace stronger economic partnerships driven by trade, investment and innovation.

“I arrived in Kigali this afternoon from Nairobi, where we joined other African leaders at the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted by President Ruto and President Macron to advance a new model of partnership built on trade, investment, innovation, infrastructure, and shared prosperity,” Tinubu stated.

The Nigerian leader thanked President Kagame for the warm reception and described their engagement as productive and forward-looking.

“I thank my brother, President Paul Kagame, for the warm reception upon my arrival in Kigali and for our productive bilateral engagement at the Urugwiro Presidential Village,” he said.

The discussions between both leaders focused significantly on expanding bilateral trade and improving logistics connectivity to support African businesses.

Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria was in the early stages of discussions with RwandAir on a practical flat-rate cargo arrangement aimed at helping Nigerian businesses transport goods more efficiently and predictably across African markets.

“Our discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade between our two countries. We are also in the early stages of discussions with RwandAir on a practical flat-rate arrangement that can help Nigerian businesses ship their goods more predictably across the continent,” he said.

The initiative follows Nigeria’s earlier establishment of an air cargo corridor with Uganda Airlines as part of efforts to facilitate intra-African trade and improve export opportunities for local businesses.

On consular relations, Tinubu said Nigeria would consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free policy for Nigerians in line with the ideals of Pan-Africanism and continental integration.

The leaders also reviewed pending Memoranda of Understanding covering tourism, anti-corruption cooperation and the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

Both presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the AfCFTA and pledged continued collaboration to remove trade barriers, strengthen market access and expand digital trade across the continent.

“As champions of the AfCFTA, Nigeria and Rwanda will continue to work together to deepen digital trade, strengthen market access, and remove the barriers that limit African enterprise,” Tinubu stated.

The President further announced that Nigeria would host the AfCFTA Council of Ministers and Digital Trade Forum in June, while also preparing to host the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) and Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) events from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11, 2026, as well as another continental gathering in November 2027.

According to Tinubu, Africa’s future depends on stronger economic cooperation among African countries rather than dependence on external markets.

“From the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi to the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, my message remains the same. Africa’s future will not be built by speeches alone. It will be built by trade, investment, innovation, and the courage to trust one another’s markets,” he said.

“This is the path to shared and sustainable prosperity for our people and the continent.”