President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Paul Kagame have resolved to activate mechanisms to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda.
Upon arrival in Kigali, Rwanda, for the Africa CEO Forum, President Bola Tinubu met with Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa.
Both leaders emphasised the importance of reviving the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), originally signed by both countries in 2021, as a vital platform for advancing their shared objectives. They further agreed that Nigeria should host the next meeting of the Commission.
In reviewing consular matters, President Tinubu stated that Nigeria will seriously consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free status for Nigerians in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
The two presidents also discussed the activation of pending Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in areas of tourism, Illicit Drugs, and anti-corruption—underscoring President Tinubu’s commitment to inter-African integration, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.
Presidents Tinubu and Kagame exchanged ideas towards operationalising the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) between the two countries. The two leaders have remained steadfast in their support for this agreement.
Nigeria, which last year established an air cargo corridor with Uganda Airways, is now in discussions with RwandAir to facilitate greater export opportunities for Nigerian businesses across the continent.
The Africa CEO meeting begins today, Thursday 14 May 2026.
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, ahead of the 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum, which begins on Thursday.
President Tinubu was received at the Presidential Wing of the Kigali International Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda.
Others who came to receive the President included the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, the Nigerian Chargé d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare.
Founded in 2012 by Jeune Afrique Media and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the forum has become the largest annual gathering of African private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers. It focuses on accelerating economic transformation through shared scale, regional integration, and increased cross-border investment.
The theme of this year’s forum is: “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership.”
At the forum, President Tinubu will speak on “Holding the Line: Nigeria’s Reform Bet in a Fractured World,” highlighting the gains of sustaining Nigeria’s bold reforms, among other topics.
The President will also hold high-level bilateral meetings with top global and African business leaders while reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership role in shaping the continent’s future.
President Tinubu will use the occasion of the summit to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to advancing African unity, deepening regional economic cooperation, and fostering strategic partnerships to accelerate private sector-driven sustainable development across the continent.