President Paul Kagame arrived in Tanzania on Sunday for a one-day visit aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.
Upon arrival, Kagame was received by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The two leaders later held bilateral talks focused on deepening cooperation between Rwanda and Tanzania.
The visit follows a trip to Rwanda in late March by Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, which centered on boosting bilateral collaboration.
Kagame arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, where he was welcomed by Kombo and other officials.
He is accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s ambassador to Tanzania Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, and Stéphanie Nyombayire, head of communications in the Office of the President.
The discussions between Kagame and Suluhu are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation as well as enhancing regional integration within the East African Community (EAC), which continues to promote closer economic and trade ties among member states.
Rwanda and Tanzania maintain long-standing relations, with Rwanda relying heavily on the Port of Dar es Salaam for trade. About 70% of Rwanda’s imports pass through the Indian Ocean port.
Both countries have also seen growing people-to-people ties through organizations such as the Rwanda-Tanzania Friendship Association (RWATAFA) and the Tanzania-Rwanda Friendship Association (TARAFA).
The two governments have signed multiple agreements covering trade, agriculture, security, technology, transport, and industrial development.
In July 2025, Rwanda and Tanzania agreed to allow the Tanzania Ports Authority to open an office in Kigali, a move expected to improve trade efficiency between the two countries.
As members of the EAC, Rwanda and Tanzania are also cooperating on regional infrastructure projects, including a planned railway linking Isaka in Tanzania to Kigali to facilitate the movement of goods.
The EAC has set a target of increasing intra-regional trade from about 15% to 40% by 2030. While trade within the bloc has grown steadily, rising from about $9.8 billion in 2021 to $14.3 billion in 2024, the region remains below its integration goals.
