President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame have concluded a historic two-day visit to Ankara, Turkey, marking a significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries. The visit, filled with high-level talks and new agreements, demonstrated a shared commitment to deepening their cooperation.
On January 23, 2025, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, the two leaders signed several key agreements that will shape the partnership. Agreements signed during the visit include; media communication, aviation safety, and defense.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “We are taking steps to strengthen our cooperation in trade, investments, energy, education, culture, defense, research and development.”
On the arrival, President Kagame and the first Lady were warmly welcomed at Ankara’s international airport, setting a positive tone for the visit. Much of the meaningful dialogue took place behind closed doors, with both leaders focusing on expanding collaboration across various sectors.
President Kagame highlighted the role of Turkish investments in Rwanda’s development. He pointed out that companies like SUMMA have played a crucial role in projects such as the renovation of Amahoro Stadium and the construction of houses, office spaces, and BK Arena in Kigali. He also mentioned the Turkish firm Hakan Energy, which is helping Rwanda achieve its goal of 100% electricity access through the Gisagara Peat-to-Power plant.
Tourism is another area where the two countries are closely working together. A leading Turkish hot air balloon company is set to launch a national tourism program in Akagera National Park, boosting Rwanda’s tourism industry. Turkish Airlines has also partnered with Rwanda to promote golf tourism, helping to diversify tourism offerings and attract more international visitors.
In education, Rwanda and Turkey are collaborating to establish a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) center, with Turkey also continuing to offer scholarships to Rwandan students pursuing higher education. Rwanda is also becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Turkish investors in the finance sector, with ongoing discussions about how Turkey can contribute to Rwanda’s growing financial services industry.
Beyond business and education, Madam Jeannette Kagame, alongside Emine Erdoğan, took part in cultural exchanges. The two First Ladies visited the African Handicrafts and Cultural Center and the National Library, further strengthening the cultural ties between the nations. Madam Kagame also signed an international agreement on waste management, underlining both countries’ commitment to sustainable development.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss regional peace and security. Kagame praised Erdoğan’s efforts in promoting peace in the Horn of Africa, particularly between Somalia and Ethiopia. He encouraged his Turkish counterpart to apply the same efforts to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. President Erdoğan expressed Turkey’s full support for peace efforts in the region, including Angola’s mediation in the DRC conflict.
Before leaving Turkey, Kagame took time to honor the country’s history visiting Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, to pay respect to his enduring legacy.
As the visit came to a close, both leaders spoke with optimism about the future of Rwanda-Turkey relations. With new agreements in place, the partnership between the two countries is set to grow, bringing shared prosperity and development in years to come.
