President Bola Tinubu and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties by reviving mechanisms that were first established in 2021. The leaders discussed the renewal of the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC) and the activation of several pending memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during a meeting at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali, timed with Tinubu’s attendance at the Africa CEO Forum.
Tinubu, who arrived in Kigali for the Forum, met Kagame shortly after his arrival. Both presidents said the discussions focused on deepening cooperation in strategic sectors, including tourism, anti‑corruption, and the fight against illicit drugs. They also reaffirmed support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and explored ways to operationalise its provisions between Nigeria and Rwanda to boost trade and regional integration.
A key outcome of the talks was the decision to reactivate the JPMC, a joint ministerial platform originally signed in 2021 to coordinate bilateral programmes. Nigeria will host the next JPMC meeting, a move the two sides hope will accelerate diplomatic and economic engagement. On consular matters, Tinubu indicated that Nigeria will seriously consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30‑day visa‑free entry scheme for Nigerians, a step aimed at enhancing people‑to‑people ties and supporting pan‑African mobility.
The presidents also discussed expanding aviation links. Nigeria, which recently launched an air‑cargo corridor with Uganda Airways, is in talks with RwandAir to create new export routes for Nigerian businesses. Such connectivity is expected to complement the broader trade agenda under AfCFTA.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the meeting underscored Tinubu’s commitment to African integration, mutual respect and shared prosperity. He added that both leaders remain steadfast supporters of continental economic initiatives and will continue to pursue collaborative projects that benefit their nations and the wider region.
The Africa CEO Forum, set to begin Thursday, is expected to draw more than 2,000 business executives, investors and government officials from across Africa and beyond. The event provides a platform for Nigeria and Rwanda to showcase the outcomes of their renewed cooperation and to attract further private‑sector investment.
By reviving the JPMC, contemplating visa reciprocity and seeking deeper aviation and trade links, Nigeria and Rwanda are positioning their partnership as a model for South‑South collaboration in a rapidly integrating African economy. The next JPMC session in Nigeria will test the durability of these commitments and could set the tone for future bilateral initiatives across the continent.
