President Paul Kagame’s state visit to Cambodia comes ahead of a Francophonie summit that will determine whether Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo secures another term as Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame were received by Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Friday, November 13. The ceremony was followed by a private audience with the monarch.
The Rwandan leader is also scheduled to meet Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and Prime Minister Hun Manet. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation.
Rwanda and Cambodia are expected to sign agreements and cooperation documents covering trade, investment, aviation and tourism during the visit, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The agreements are intended to deepen economic and business ties between the two countries. They would build on earlier cooperation, including agreements signed in November 2025 on consultations between the two foreign ministries and visa facilitation for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Their central banks have also pursued closer links. The National Bank of Rwanda and the National Bank of Cambodia signed a cooperation agreement in April 2023, and announced plans in May 2026 to facilitate digital payments between the countries.
The 20th OIF Summit will be held in Phnom Penh on November 15 and 16, bringing together heads of state and government from French-speaking countries. Its theme is “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability”.
A major item on the agenda will be the election of the organisation’s Secretary-General for the 2027–2030 term. Mushikiwabo, who has led the OIF since 2019, is seeking a third term after being re-elected in 2022.
She faces three challengers: Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Coumba Ba of Mauritania and former Romanian prime minister Dacian Cioloș. The vote is scheduled for November 16 and will be decided by the OIF’s 53 full members, rather than its entire membership of 90 states and governments, which also includes associate members and observers.
The summit is the first to be hosted by Cambodia and the first in Southeast Asia since the 1997 gathering in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The election gives the summit particular importance for Rwanda, while the state visit offers a separate opportunity to advance economic ties with Cambodia.
