President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria will “seriously consider” granting Rwandan citizens 30-day visa-free entry as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote Pan-African integration.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga following a meeting between Tinubu and Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali.
Tinubu is currently in Rwanda to participate in the Africa CEO Forum, where African leaders and business executives are discussing regional integration, trade, and investment opportunities.
What the statement is saying
According to the statement, the proposed visa-free arrangement is intended to mirror Rwanda’s existing policy that allows Nigerians to enter the country without visas for up to 30 days.
- “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 presidency stated.
The two leaders also agreed to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission signed in 2021 as a framework for strengthening cooperation between both countries.
Nigeria and Rwanda agreed to reactivate the commission to drive bilateral engagements.
Both countries resolved that Nigeria would host the next session of the commission.
The discussions also focused on improving trade, mobility, and institutional collaboration.
The meeting reflects growing efforts by African leaders to deepen regional partnerships and remove barriers limiting intra-African movement and commerce.
More insights
Tinubu and Kagame also discussed activating pending Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering tourism, anti-corruption, and efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking.
The two presidents reaffirmed support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing the need to operationalise the agreement to improve regional trade and economic cooperation.
- Nigeria is currently in talks with RwandAir to create additional export opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
- The proposed arrangement is expected to support trade logistics and improve connectivity between both countries.
Nigeria had earlier established a similar air cargo corridor with Uganda Airways last year.
The discussions signal renewed efforts to translate Africa’s integration agenda into practical bilateral agreements focused on trade, travel, and economic cooperation.
What you should know
Earlier at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, President Tinubu blamed illicit financial flows, restrictive global financial policies, and high borrowing costs for the weak state of Africa’s manufacturing sector.
He called for reforms to the global financial architecture, arguing that existing systems continue to disadvantage African economies seeking industrial growth.
Tinubu noted that Africa contributes less than 2% to global manufacturing because many countries on the continent still export raw materials while importing finished products.
