symbolising friendship, mutual respect, and the strong bond between the two nations.
“Ifuni ibagarira ubucuti ni akarenge”. This is a Kinyarwanda adage meaning “friendship is reinforced by reciprocal visits”, and it encapsulates the evolving relationship between Rwanda and Qatar. This proverb rings true with the recent official visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Rwanda.
The Emir of Qatar arrived in Kigali on Thursday last week, for a two-day official visit, marking another milestone in the ever growing relationship between Qatar and Rwanda. Sheikh Tamim was warmly received by President Paul Kagame, and the two leaders engaged in vital discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation across various sectors.
This visit is part of an ongoing commitment to expanding Qatar-Rwanda relations, which have seen significant development since the establishment of bilateral ties in May 2017. The two leaders previously met in early November in Doha, on the sidelines of the World Summit for Social Development.
A visit rooted in diplomacy and regional stability
The day Sheikh Tamim arrived in Rwanda, he was hosted by Kagame at his private farm in Kibugabuga, Bugesera District of Western Province for a private tête-à-tête meeting. As a gesture of goodwill and friendship, Kagame gifted the Emir Rwanda’s iconic long-horned cattle, known as Inyambo, symbolising the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
As he concluded his visit, the Emir, in turn, praised Kagame for his efforts in fostering peace initiatives in the Great Lakes region, particularly his leadership in regional diplomacy. Tamim emphasised that Qatar and Rwanda share a strong and growing partnership, stating, “Qatar and Rwanda are united by strong and growing relations, and they are advancing with rapid strides toward promising horizons of partnership and mutual interests.” He also noted the pivotal role that Rwanda plays in regional peace, particularly in its mediation efforts related to the ongoing tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Kagame also thanked Tamim, whom he described as a brother and friend, for his visit to Rwanda and for the productive discussions they held. “Rwanda deeply appreciates the strong partnership with the State of Qatar and the personal friendship that continues to guide our cooperation. We look forward to building on the progress made during this visit and advancing the shared priorities for the mutual benefit of our nations and people,” he stated.
Qatar’s role as a neutral mediator in the region has been crucial. Since March 2025, when Tamim brought Kagame together with his counterpart of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi for a meeting in Doha, the Government of Qatar has played a central role in mediating regional conflicts in the Great Lakes region. Qatar has facilitated talks between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, aiming to address the root causes of tensions between Congolese communities. Qatar has also supported the Washington peace talks between Rwanda and the DRC. The Rwandan Government has consistently pledged its support for all initiatives aimed at resolving the region’s issues. In addition to participating in the Washington talks, Rwanda supports the Doha-based negotiations between the AFC/ M23 and the DRC government, alongside other partners such as the United States, Togo, and the African Union (AU).
Economic and infrastructure cooperation
The Emir’s visit came at a time when both countries have made strides in economic and infrastructure development. One of the key projects undertaken is the Bugesera International Airport, a major joint venture where Qatar holds a 60% stake. The airport is expected to be completed in 2027 with a USD 1.3 billion investment, further solidifying Qatar’s role in shaping Rwanda’s infrastructure and connectivity. Qatar Airways is set to acquire a 49% stake in RwandAir, boosting Rwanda’s aviation capacity and strengthening ties in the transport sector. Additionally, both countries continue to collaborate in tourism, education, and agriculture, sectors that are expected to benefit greatly from further partnerships and investment.
The Rwanda-Qatar collaboration is also evident in the technology and innovation space, with projects like the Kigali Innovation City, an initiative designed to transform Rwanda into a hub for technology in Africa, gaining momentum. Qatar’s support for these transformative projects aligns with its broader vision of contributing to Africa’s sustainable development and its strategic focus on advancing partnerships with African nations.
This was in Doha earlier this month
A historic relationship with continued engagement.
This is not the first time the Emir has visited Rwanda. In April 2019, during a two-day working visit, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several agreements aimed at fostering cooperation in sectors such as culture, sports, tourism and business events. The visit also included a memorable tour of Akagera National Park, home to the big five wildlife species.
Further strengthening the diplomatic bond, the Emir of Qatar made a return visit to Rwanda in July 2022, attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Kigali as the guest of honour. During that visit, Tamim and Kagame took the opportunity to discuss new avenues for cooperation and reaffirm their shared commitment to regional peace and prosperity. These visits are in addition to Kagame’s previous trips to Qatar in February 2024 and 2025, aimed at strengthening existing ties.
In November 2018, Kagame had held a two-day official visit to Qatar, where he met with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The two leaders, together with their respective delegations, held bilateral talks on furthering areas of economic cooperation and witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements on air services, investments, as well as the memorandum of understanding on economic, commercial and technical cooperation. These agreements continue to play a big role in shaping the destiny and shared vision of both nations.
Educational, cultural ties
Qatar and Rwanda have developed strong educational and cultural ties, with many Rwandan students currently studying in Qatar. A key initiative, the Zero Out-Of-School project, is a collaboration between Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and Qatar’s Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, aiming to reintegrate over 177,000 Rwandan children into education. The cultural exchange between the two nations has also flourished, with both recognising the importance of tourism and cultural heritage.
