On the afternoon of Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Kigali International Airport, President Paul Kagame warmly welcomed his Togolese counterpart, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who arrived in Rwanda for a two-day official visit.
Rwanda and Togo share a strong and growing partnership, with cooperation spanning sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and diplomacy. This visit marks the latest chapter in their longstanding relationship. President Gnassingbé had last been in Rwanda in August 2024 for the inauguration of President Kagame, a ceremony that highlighted the strong bond between the two nations.
After Kagame’s victory in the July 2024 elections, President Gnassingbé extended his congratulations, expressing confidence in Rwanda’s future. He emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen ties between their countries, saying, “Your remarkable victory reflects the renewed trust your people have in your leadership and your vision for the future of Rwanda. I hope this new term will be one that further strengthens the partnership and friendship between our nations.”
The two countries also align in several international forums, including the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).
Upon his arrival, President Gnassingbé was received with the honors reserved for heads of state. President Kagame personally greeted him at the airport, and the two leaders then traveled together to the capital in a motorcade.
This visit comes shortly after a significant trip to Rwanda by Togo’s Minister and Presidential Advisor for Public Health, Dr. Aristide Afèignindou Gnassingbé, who visited the Ministry of Health on January 15, 2025. During his visit, he met with the State Minister, Yvan Butera, to discuss issues such as healthcare technology, training healthcare professionals, and strengthening primary care services.
The relationship between Rwanda and Togo has long been marked by mutual admiration. In March 2017, during the Transform Africa conference in Kigali, Presidents Kagame and Gnassingbé held discussions on deepening bilateral ties and on reforms within the African Union. President Gnassingbé, impressed by Rwanda’s progress, expressed his admiration for the country as a model of development.
In May 2018, the two nations signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in air transport—a partnership that had been under discussion for nearly eight years.
President Kagame and President Gnassingbé continue to share a close friendship and frequently meet at international conferences across Africa and beyond. Their most recent encounter was at the inauguration ceremony of President Kagame in August 2024, where they celebrated Rwanda’s continued progress and the strengthening of ties between their nations.
