President Paul Kagame and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik held talks in Salalah on Monday on expanding economic cooperation between Rwanda and Oman, with investment in mining, renewable energy, food security, transport, logistics and healthcare high on the agenda.
Kagame, who arrived in Oman on Monday for a two-day official visit, was received by Sultan Haitham at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah, where the two leaders held an official session of talks.
The discussions come as Kigali and Muscat seek to build on a series of recent agreements and initiatives aimed at strengthening trade, investment and connectivity between the two countries.
The Omani side said the talks focused on cooperation and investment in several sectors, including mining, renewable energy, food security, land ports, logistics and healthcare. The two sides also discussed strengthening their investment partnership in ways that serve the interests of both countries.
Kagame’s visit is the latest high-level engagement between Rwanda and Oman as the two countries seek to broaden their economic relationship.
In January, Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe led a delegation to Oman, where the two countries reached cooperation arrangements covering logistics and transport services, dry-port development and management, as well as technology.
The technology cooperation includes data centres, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
The two countries have also been working to expand cooperation in aviation and airport management. The Rwanda Development Board and Oman Airports have been exploring opportunities to exchange expertise and attract investment in air transport infrastructure.
Air connectivity between the two countries received a boost in July when SalamAir launched direct flights between Muscat and Kigali. The airline operates two flights a week, providing a direct link between Rwanda and Oman.
The route is expected to make travel easier for businesses, investors and tourists while giving Rwanda greater access to markets in the Gulf and the wider Middle East.
For Rwanda, the relationship with Oman offers an opportunity to strengthen links with Gulf markets and attract investment in sectors aligned with the country’s economic development priorities. Oman, meanwhile, has been pursuing economic diversification and expanding its role in trade, logistics, transport and investment.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations for decades, but their engagement has gained momentum in recent years through high-level visits, new agreements and increased business and transport links.
During Monday’s talks, Kagame was accompanied by Nduhungirehe; Finance and Economic Planning Minister Yusuf Murangwa; Trade and Industry Minister Antoine Kajangwe; Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources Solange Uwituze; Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer Juliana Muganza; and Rwanda’s non-resident ambassador to Oman, Dan Munyuza.
The Omani delegation included Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Finance Minister Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Energy and Minerals Minister Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Transport, Communications and Information Technology Minister Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Minister Anwar bin Hilal Al Jabri, and Oman Investment Authority President Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi.
Kagame’s visit runs through Tuesday and is expected to further discussions on strengthening cooperation and expanding economic ties between Kigali and Muscat.
