Rwanda and Cambodia have expanded their bilateral cooperation through three agreements covering investment, tourism and air transport, during President Paul Kagame’s first state visit to the Southeast Asian country.
The agreements were exchanged on Friday, November 13, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, in a ceremony witnessed by Kagame and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet after talks on strengthening relations between the two countries.
One of the documents is a memorandum of understanding between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Cambodia’s Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), aimed at promoting investment cooperation.
The other two cover tourism cooperation and air services, establishing frameworks for the countries to work together in the respective sectors.
During their meeting, Kagame and Hun Manet discussed expanding trade, investment and tourism, as well as opportunities arising from the countries’ different regional positions.
They considered Rwanda’s potential as a gateway for Cambodian products entering African markets and Cambodia’s position as a possible entry point for Rwandan goods into the ASEAN region and wider Asian markets.
The leaders also discussed cooperation against transnational crime, including technology-based scams, and the importance of working together through international organisations.
Kagame separately met Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, with discussions focusing on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation.
He also held talks with National Assembly President Khuon Sudary. Their discussions covered parliamentary cooperation, exchanges of experience and gender equality, including women’s representation in political leadership.
The visit builds on diplomatic engagement between the two countries, which formally established relations in 2009, according to Rwanda’s diplomatic mission accredited to Cambodia.
In November 2025, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn visited Rwanda, where he held talks with his Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe. The two countries subsequently signed a memorandum establishing consultations between their foreign ministries and an agreement facilitating travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
The latest agreements extend that cooperation into investment, tourism and aviation.
Kagame’s visit also coincided with Cambodia’s hosting of the 20th Summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Phnom Penh.
