President Bola Tinubu and President Paul Kagame have pledged to reactivate the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda following high-level talks at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa.
According to Bayo Onanuga president Tinubu’s spokesman, the agreement was reached ahead of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, prioritizing reviving a 2021 framework. Nigeria will host the next commission meeting to formalize cooperation on trade and regional security.
Bayo said President Tinubu announced Nigeria is considering reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free policy for Nigerians. This move aims to bolster the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) objectives.
“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.” Bayo Onanuga said in a statement posted on X (Twitter) Wednesday.
Aviation logistics take center stage as Nigeria enters talks with RwandAir to establish a dedicated air cargo corridor. This follows a similar successful arrangement with Uganda Airways to expand Nigerian export reach.
Both leaders further committed to activating pending Memoranda of Understanding targeting tourism, anti-corruption, and illicit drug trafficking. These initiatives underscore a strategic pivot toward practical inter-African integration and mutual economic prosperity.
The meeting comes as Africa faces mounting pressure to accelerate AfCFTA implementation. Intra-African trade currently accounts for only 15% of the continent’s total commerce, significantly trailing Europe’s 67% and Asia’s 60%.
Recent data suggests that harmonized visa policies and improved aviation connectivity could boost regional GDP by 3% annually. The Tinubu-Kagame pact represents a deliberate attempt by the continent’s largest economies to lead this transition.
Diplomatic observers view this alignment as a critical step in stabilizing West and East African economic corridors. The Africa CEO Forum, beginning tomorrow, is expected to further refine these private-sector investment strategies.
