President Paul Kagame has concluded a one-day working visit to Doha, Qatar, where he held talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across key sectors.
Sheikh Tamim received President Kagame at the Amiri Diwan on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
The two leaders held discussions on the strong ties of friendship and mutual respect between Rwanda and Qatar, with emphasis on cooperation in areas including economic development, aviation, investment, and security.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting global peace and stability.
Relations between Rwanda and Qatar have steadily deepened over the years through sustained high-level exchanges and agreements aimed at advancing mutual interests.
In the economic sector, Qatar holds a 60% stake in the Bugesera International Airport project, one of Rwanda’s flagship infrastructure developments expected to significantly boost regional connectivity.
The two countries also maintain strong cooperation in the aviation sector through RwandAir and Qatar Airways, with ongoing efforts to expand routes and improve connectivity to support trade, tourism, and broader economic integration.
On the diplomatic front, Rwanda and Qatar have signed agreements facilitating travel between the two countries, including visa-free access for Rwandan ordinary passport holders traveling to Qatar.
In November 2025, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Kigali on a working trip, where he was hosted by President Kagame and presented with Inyambo cattle as a symbol of cultural friendship.
The Emir’s first historic visit to Rwanda took place in December 2019, when he joined President Kagame at the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Awards.
President Kagame has also made several visits to Qatar, including in March 2024, where discussions focused on strategic infrastructure projects such as Bugesera International Airport and expanded cooperation between RwandAir and Qatar Airways.
