Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is in Rwanda on an official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between Rwanda and the 56-member organisation.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Botchwey arrived in Kigali on June 12, 2026, for discussions focused on enhancing collaboration across key sectors and advancing Commonwealth programmes among member states.
The ministry said the visit reflects a shared commitment to deepening cooperation and promoting mutual interests within the Commonwealth.
In a post on X, Botchwey expressed appreciation for the warm reception in Rwanda, saying she looked forward to engaging with leaders and partners in Kigali to advance the Commonwealth’s shared development agenda.
Botchwey was elected Commonwealth Secretary-General at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa, becoming the seventh person to hold the position.
This marks her first official visit to Rwanda since assuming office.
Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009 and has since played an active role in the bloc, including hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali in 2022.
During her visit, Botchwey is expected to hold talks with senior Rwandan officials on economic development, governance, education and technology, as well as ways the Commonwealth can support member states in addressing global challenges.
