Rwandan President Paul Kagame met Tuesday with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Summit for Social Development, which is currently being held in the Qatari capital.
According to a statement from the office of the President, the talks focused on “the strong ties between Rwanda and Qatar, as well as various areas of productive cooperation between the two countries.”
Rwanda and Qatar have maintained close relations across multiple sectors, including security, trade, investment, agriculture, and aviation. Both leaders have frequently visited each other to reinforce the partnership.
“The discussions highlighted the strong and growing relationship between the two countries and explored ways to deepen collaboration,” the statement said.
The two nations share a vision of promoting peace, security, and sustainable development while improving the well-being of their citizens. Several cooperation agreements have been signed over the years to formalize initiatives across economic, social, and infrastructural sectors.
President Kagame has publicly praised Sheikh Tamim for his leadership in promoting regional development. In 2019, during the Anti-Corruption Excellence Awards ceremony, Kagame highlighted the Emir’s role in establishing the awards, describing the relationship between Rwanda and Qatar as extending beyond friendship to a form of brotherhood.
Tuesday’s meeting was the latest in a series of high-level exchanges. Kagame last visited Qatar on Sept. 12, 2025, to discuss bilateral initiatives and investment opportunities.
Qatar has played a significant role in Rwanda’s aviation and infrastructure projects. Qatar Airways is expected to acquire a 49 percent stake in RwandAir, while the Qatari government holds a 60 percent stake in the Bugesera International Airport project, which is under construction and projected to handle up to 14 million passengers annually once complete.
The Presidency emphasized that the partnership reflects Kigali’s broader diplomatic strategy of fostering relationships based on mutual respect, peace, and sustainable development, while continuing to pursue collaboration across economic, social, and strategic sectors.
