Rwanda and Botswana have signed six bilateral agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, investment, aviation, taxation, health, and institutional collaboration between their development agencies.
The agreements were signed in Gaborone on Wednesday during President Paul Kagame’s official working visit to Botswana and were witnessed by Rwandan and his host, President Duma Gideon Boko.
The deals include a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement; a Memorandum of Agreement on Visa Abolition for holders of diplomatic, official and national passports; a Bilateral Air Services Agreement; a Memorandum of Understanding on health cooperation; an MoU on economic, trade and investment cooperation; and an institutional agreement between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC).
The agreements are intended to ease movement between the two countries, facilitate cross-border investment, improve air connectivity, and strengthen cooperation between key economic institutions.
Speaking after bilateral talks and a joint press briefing, President Kagame said the relationship etween Rwanda and Botswana is grounded in shared development priorities and practical cooperation.
“What the relationship between Rwanda and Botswana is based on is not just friendship, but also shared goals,” Kagame said, noting that both countries are focused on removing barriers to trade and investment. He cited air connectivity, visa facilitation, and double taxation as key areas where the two sides are working to improve conditions for business and investment.
Kagame also commended Botswana’s management of its natural resources, particularly diamonds, saying it reflects a deliberate effort to convert national wealth into tangible benefits for citizens.
He further praised Botswana’s efforts to strengthen health security through investment in local production capacity and pharmaceutical selfreliance.
He said cooperation between the two countries has already been progressing in areas such as justice and security, but is now expanding further into economic and private sector partnerships.
“The engagements taking place, especially between our private sectors, point to concrete and immediate opportunities,” Kagame said.
“What matters most is that what we agree on should translate into visible improvements in the lives of our citizens.” President Kagame also congratulated Botswana on successfully hosting the World Athletics Relays.
President Boko said the visit reflects deepening bilateral relations and a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, and regional development. “Both countries are racing against time,” Boko said.
“We must ensure that we deliver on what we have committed to and move with urgency.” He said Botswana is eager to learn from Rwanda’s experience in governance and development, while also sharing its own expertise in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and food security.
He added that priority areas of cooperation include youth empowerment, job creation, infrastructure development, sports, and regional trade. “The distance between us should not be an excuse,” Boko said. “Technology has made cooperation easier, and we must work closely and efficiently.”
President Kagame arrived in Gaborone on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, for a twoday state visit focused on strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
He was received by President Boko upon arrival at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
The visit follows meetings of the Rwanda–Botswana Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, which prepared several agreements for presidential endorsement.
A business forum also brought together public and private sector representatives from both countries to explore investment opportunities in mining, tourism, finance, and digital services. Officials from Rwanda included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, and senior representatives of the Rwanda Development Board, alongside private sector delegates.
The agreements mark a further step in efforts by Kigali and Gaborone to strengthen economic diplomacy and expand Africa-focused bilateral partnerships built on trade, investment, and institutional cooperation.
