President Kagame in Qatar for a Working Visit

President Paul Kagame arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a working visit. According to a post by the Rwanda Embassy in Qatar on X, dated Tuesday, February 11, he was received at Hamad International Airport by Dr. Ahmad bin Hassen Al-Hammadi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recently, President Kagame received Qatar’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, at Urugwiro Village on Friday, January 31. Their discussions focused on bilateral relations and regional developments. Rwanda and Qatar have cultivated a strong bilatera

President Paul Kagame arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a working visit. According to a post by the Rwanda Embassy in Qatar on X, dated Tuesday, February 11, he was received at Hamad International Airport by Dr. Ahmad bin Hassen Al-Hammadi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recently, President Kagame received Qatar’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, at Urugwiro Village on Friday, January 31. Their discussions focused on bilateral relations and regional developments. Rwanda and Qatar have cultivated a strong bilateral relationship, marked by cooperation in various sectors and the signing of several key agreements. In November 2018, both countries signed agreements on air services and the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, along with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on economic, commercial, and technical cooperation. These agreements aim to enhance economic collaboration and facilitate investment opportunities. To further bolster economic ties, Rwanda and Qatar signed an agreement to prevent double taxation and financial evasion. This deal seeks to eliminate tax-related obstacles, encourage trade, and attract investment. In December 2019, the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways entered into an investment partnership to develop Rwanda’s new airport in Bugesera District. Qatar Airways acquired a 60% stake in the project, valued at approximately $1.3 billion. The airport is expected to handle seven million passengers annually in its initial phase, with plans to expand capacity to 14 million passengers per year by 2032. In November 2023, Rwanda and Qatar signed an MoU to collaborate in information and communications technology. The agreement covers areas such as public key infrastructure, ICT policy development, artificial intelligence research, digital transformation, e-commerce, smart cities, and cross-border data flow. In January 2025, Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and the Qatar Aeronautical Academy signed a contract for training services to enhance the professional expertise of the Rwanda Defence Force. ALSO READ: RDF Command and Staff College Delegation in Qatar for a One-Week International Study Tour Additionally, in October 2024, Rwanda and Qatar strengthened their cooperation in internal security through an MoU between the Rwanda National Police and Qatar’s Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya). The agreement focuses on capacity building and underscores both nations’ commitment to security collaboration. These agreements highlight the deepening partnership between Rwanda and Qatar, reflecting their shared commitment to growth and development across multiple sectors.