President Paul Kagame on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, received Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji, in talks aimed at deepening cooperation between the two nations.
According to a statement issued by Village Urugwiro, the discussions focused on strengthening the growing partnership between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia across strategic sectors of mutual interest and regional significance.
Rwanda and Saudi Arabia have steadily expanded cooperation in trade and investment, pilgrimage travel, tourism, energy, health, education and infrastructure development. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established in 2018, followed by additional cooperation agreements signed in June 2021.
The two nations also maintain commercial ties in petroleum and other sectors, reflecting an increasingly diversified partnership.
Under the Visit Rwanda campaign, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has also engaged Saudi-based investors at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, home to Spanish football club Atlético de Madrid, which partners with Rwanda to promote tourism and investment.
In July 2025, Rwanda’s Cabinet approved the appointment of Mohammed Bin Khalil Faloudah as Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Rwanda, with residence in Kampala, further signaling commitment from both sides to consolidate diplomatic and economic ties.
The latest high-level meeting underscores Rwanda’s continued efforts to broaden strategic partnerships in the Gulf region while positioning itself as a reliable investment and diplomatic partner.
