President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame is in Tanzania on a one-day working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
The Head of State arrived in the early hours of Sunday, 3 May 2026, where he was received at the airport by Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahamoud Thabit Kombo.
During the visit, President Kagame is expected to hold high-level talks with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, focusing on trade, infrastructure development, and regional security cooperation.
Strong economic partnership
Rwanda and Tanzania continue to maintain strong diplomatic and economic relations, anchored in growing trade and strategic infrastructure links.
Tanzania remains a key gateway for Rwanda’s international trade, with the Port of Dar es Salaam handling an estimated 70% of Rwanda’s import and export cargo.
Bilateral trade between the two countries continues to expand, with Tanzania ranking among Rwanda’s top three global trading partners.
Investment ties have also deepened. Official data shows that between 1990 and March 2026, Tanzania registered 42 Rwandan investment projects valued at about $325.53 million, generating 2,225 jobs across sectors including manufacturing, transport, financial services, natural resources, and tourism.
Central Corridor significance
The visit comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to strengthen East African integration and improve trade efficiency in the region.
The Central Corridor, which connects Rwanda to the Port of Dar es Salaam, remains a vital route for the country’s import and export activities, underscoring Tanzania’s strategic importance in Rwanda’s economic development.
Expected outcomes
At the conclusion of the visit, both countries are expected to issue a joint communiqué outlining new areas of cooperation and potential agreements aimed at deepening bilateral relations and enhancing regional integration.
