President Kagame, Qatar’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Discuss Bilateral Relations

President Paul Kagame met with Qatar’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, on Friday, January 31, at Urugwiro Village. According to the Office of the President, their discussions focused on bilateral relations and regional development. Rwanda and Qatar have developed a strong bilateral relationship, marked by cooperation across various sectors and the signing of several key agreements. In November 2018, Rwanda and Qatar signed agreements on air services and the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, along with an MoU on

President Paul Kagame met with Qatar’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, on Friday, January 31, at Urugwiro Village. According to the Office of the President, their discussions focused on bilateral relations and regional development. Rwanda and Qatar have developed a strong bilateral relationship, marked by cooperation across various sectors and the signing of several key agreements. In November 2018, Rwanda and Qatar signed agreements on air services and the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, along with an MoU on economic, commercial, and technical cooperation. These agreements aim to enhance economic collaboration and facilitate investment opportunities between the two nations. To further strengthen economic relations, both countries signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent financial evasion. This agreement seeks to eliminate tax-related obstacles, encourage trade, and increase investment opportunities between the two countries. In December 2019, the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways entered into an investment partnership to develop Rwanda’s new airport, located in Bugesera District. Qatar Airways acquired a 60% stake in the project, valued at approximately $1.3 billion. The airport is designed 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, Qatar and Rwanda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the field of information and communications technology. The agreement encompasses areas such as public key infrastructure, ICT policy development, research and development in artificial intelligence, 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 the provision of training services, aiming to enhance the professional expertise of the Rwanda Defence Force. 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 reflects the commitment of both nations to enhancing security collaboration. ALSO READ: Rwanda National Police, Qatar Internal Security Force commit to institutional development These agreements underscore the deepening partnership between Rwanda and Qatar, highlighting their mutual commitment to fostering growth and development across multiple sectors.