Rwanda and Nigeria have strengthened bilateral relations following Nigeria’s decision to grant visa-free entry to Rwandan citizens travelling to the West African country, a move both governments say will boost mobility, trade, and investment.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe expressed appreciation to Nigeria during talks with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, who was in Kigali for the Africa CEO Forum held on May 14–15, 2026.
Amb. Ojukwu was part of the Nigerian delegation accompanying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his visit to Rwanda aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries.
Discussions between the two officials focused on expanding collaboration in key areas including trade, investment, technology, and security.
Minister Nduhungirehe described Nigeria’s decision to waive visa requirements for Rwandan travellers as a significant milestone that will enhance ease of movement and strengthen economic and social exchanges between the two countries.
Under the arrangement, Rwandans are allowed to enter Nigeria without prior visa requirements and may stay for up to 30 days in line with immigration regulations. The policy is expected to support tourism, business travel, and other lawful cross-border activities.
The decision is widely viewed as reciprocal, as Rwanda already provides visa-on-arrival access to Nigerian citizens and other African travellers under its open visa policy.
The announcement follows recent high-level discussions between President Paul Kagame and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Kigali on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum, where both leaders reaffirmed commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Rwanda and Nigeria continue to deepen relations, with both governments emphasizing the importance of partnerships that support economic growth, regional integration, and broader African development goals.
