On January 23, 2025, President Paul Kagame and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan formalized new agreements at the Presidential Complex in Ankara after bilateral discussions. The agreements cover areas such as media communication and broadcasting, aviation safety, and defense.
President Erdoğan highlighted the expansion of cooperation in trade, investments, energy, education, culture, the defense industry, and research and development. President Kagame expressed gratitude for Turkey’s contributions to Rwanda’s infrastructure, citing projects by Turkish firms like Suuma, which has built major housing developments, renovated the Amahoro Stadium, and upgraded BK Arena and government offices in Kigali.
Energy collaborations include the Gisagara Peat-to-Power plant project by Turkish contractor Hakan Energy, contributing to Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) goal of 100% electricity access to meet rising industrial demand.
In tourism, a Turkish hot air balloon company is set to launch operations nationwide after successful tests in Akagera National Park, aiming to boost Rwanda’s tourism appeal. Additionally, Turkish Airlines has invested in golf tourism, a growing sector for Rwanda due to increasing international visitors and conferences in Kigali.
Educational cooperation includes discussions on establishing a Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) center in Rwanda, complementing existing cultural and academic partnerships. Turkey already provides fully funded scholarships for Rwandan students pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. degrees.
President Kagame commended Turkey’s role in mediating conflicts in Africa, particularly in Somalia and Ethiopia, and suggested similar engagement for the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). President Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, supporting Angola’s mediation efforts in the DRC.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties and embassies in Ankara (2011) and Kigali (2016), Rwanda-Turkey trade volumes have grown from $1 million to nearly $500 million. Erdoğan praised Rwanda’s role in promoting stability in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region, emphasizing Turkey’s strategic and institutional approach to strengthening African partnerships.
