ABUJA – Nigeria and Rwanda are poised to strengthen their long-standing diplomatic partnership with renewed emphasis on trade, investment, regional security and private sector collaboration following high-level talks between the two countries in Abuja.
The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations when he received Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Moses Rugema, on a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to review the current state of their relations and chart new pathways for expanding cooperation in areas critical to Africa’s economic growth, peace and sustainable development.
Ambassador Rugema conveyed warm greetings from the Government of Rwanda and reaffirmed Kigali’s commitment to strengthening its enduring relationship with Nigeria. He described the partnership as one built on mutual respect, African solidarity and a shared vision for regional integration, peace and prosperity.
A major highlight of the discussions was the proposed convening of the next Nigeria-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), with the Rwandan envoy revealing that technical consultations were already underway to conclude pending bilateral agreements.
He also proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-Rwanda Business Forum to deepen private sector engagement, saying the initiative would unlock fresh opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and significantly boost trade and investment between both nations.
The High Commissioner identified trade and investment, information and communication technology, healthcare, agriculture, defence cooperation, peace and security, and capacity building as priority sectors for stronger collaboration, expressing confidence that enhanced cooperation would accelerate economic growth while promoting regional stability.
Responding, Ambassador Enikanolaiye welcomed the Rwandan envoy and stressed that the excellent political relationship between both countries should now translate into measurable economic gains. He called for stronger private sector participation, expanded commercial exchanges and increased investment, while urging governments to continue creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
On regional security, both diplomats acknowledged the growing challenges posed by terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime across Africa. They agreed that African-led solutions, closer defence cooperation and sustained diplomatic engagement remain critical to securing lasting peace and stability on the continent.
The Minister also underscored the importance of exchanging best practices in governance, infrastructure development, education, public service delivery and human security, noting that such collaboration would support the realisation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and maximise the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to fast-tracking key bilateral initiatives, particularly the Joint Permanent Commission and the proposed Business Forum, expressing optimism that the platforms would stimulate greater trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges while opening new frontiers for strategic cooperation.
The meeting ended with both sides expressing satisfaction over the robust state of Nigeria-Rwanda relations and pledging to work even more closely in advancing shared interests in economic development, regional security and sustainable growth across Africa.