Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Arrives in Kigali for Strategic Two-Day Visit, Aiming to Deepen Partnerships in Aviation, Innovation, and Investment

KIGALI, Rwanda – Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, arrived in Kigali for a two-day working visit and was received by President Paul Kagame. The Emir arrived in Rwanda on October 20, 2025. His agenda includes scheduled discussions with President Kagame.

The visit is viewed as particularly significant, occurring during a period of ongoing changes both regionally and internationally around the globe. Ali bin Hamad Al Aida, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar in Rwanda, stated that the visit underscores Qatar’s strategic vision to strengthen collaboration with the African continent. This cooperation focuses on sectors crucial for sustainable development, security, and stability.

Al Aida emphasized that Rwanda is a trusted partner of the State of Qatar, affirming that the visit will serve as an opportunity to further solidify the existing cooperation between the two nations. This bilateral relationship is founded upon mutual trust, respect, and shared interests.

The countries are expected to concentrate their future cooperation efforts on development programs, innovation, and investment. This expands on sectors where cooperation is already strong, which include security, education, transport, and aviation. The Ambassador of Rwanda in Qatar, Igor Marara Kayinamura, noted that there are currently many sectors where the two countries collaborate. It is anticipated that the working visit of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will conclude with Rwanda and Qatar signing new agreements for cooperation.

Cooperation in infrastructure and aviation forms a major element of the partnership. The Bugesera International Airport construction project is among the key initiatives. Qatar already holds a 60% stake in the Bugesera Airport project. Furthermore, the two countries maintain cooperation in air transport, where Qatar Airways is expected to acquire a 49% stake in RwandAir in the near future. Beyond aviation, the nations also cooperate in investment, tourism, and transport.

Ambassador Kayinamura highlighted potential new projects for collaboration, including ‘Kigali Innovation City,’ which aims to establish Rwanda as the technology hub of Africa.

The two leaders last met in Doha in early November 2025, when President Kagame participated in a conference focused on general development. During that prior meeting, they discussed promoting the bilateral relationship and cooperation. The Emir of Qatar’s most recent previous visit to Rwanda took place in July 2022, when he was a special guest at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Kigali.