President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda have agreed to activate key mechanisms aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda.
The agreement was reached on Wednesday when President Tinubu visited Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali ahead of the Africa CEO Forum.
Both leaders stressed the importance of reviving the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), first signed between the two countries in 2021, describing it as a strategic platform for advancing shared diplomatic and economic goals. They also agreed that Nigeria would host the next session of the Commission.
During discussions on consular relations, President Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria would consider granting Rwandan citizens a 30-day visa-free entry arrangement, in line with Rwanda’s existing policy for Nigerians and the broader vision of Pan-African integration.
The two presidents also reviewed pending Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering tourism, anti-corruption cooperation, and the fight against illicit drugs, reaffirming their commitment to deeper collaboration across critical sectors.
Tinubu and Kagame further explored ways to operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) between both nations, reiterating their support for increased intra-African trade and economic cooperation.
As part of efforts to improve trade connectivity, Nigeria is currently in discussions with RwandAir on establishing greater export opportunities for Nigerian businesses across Africa. The talks follow Nigeria’s recent establishment of an air cargo corridor with Uganda Airways.
The Africa CEO Forum is scheduled to begin on Thursday in Kigali, bringing together political and business leaders from across the continent.
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