Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, met Monday with Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, to discuss strengthening ties between the two countries.
Nduhungirehe delivered a message from Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
The meeting, held on March 16, 2026, focused on the state of bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both ministers emphasized collaboration in agriculture, tourism, investment, technology, air transport, diplomatic training, and streamlined entry and exit processes for diplomats, including visa facilitation.
Rwanda and Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership for years. In May 2024, the heads of state of both nations discussed deepening economic and strategic collaboration.
Land allocation for business and investment has been a key part of the relationship. Djibouti granted Rwanda 20 hectares in 2013 and another 20 in 2017 for commercial development. In turn, Rwanda allocated 10 hectares in its Masoro industrial zone in Gasabo District to Djibouti in March 2016.
In 2021, Djibouti’s industrial port authority, the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA), signed a cooperation agreement with Prime Economic Zone (PEZ) to develop the land granted by Rwanda. At the signing, DPFZA Director Omar Hadi Aboubaker noted that the land would support expanded investment activities and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
The meeting on Monday reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to deepen collaboration across economic, technological, and diplomatic sectors, reinforcing a relationship built on mutual growth and regional development.
