• Qatar and Rwanda discussed stronger ties amid Doha’s economic expansion in Africa.
• Qatar Airways holds 60% of RwandAir and is a key funder of Bugesera airport.
• Talks also addressed Rwanda–DRC tensions and regional cooperation efforts.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, met in Doha to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations. The announcement was made by the Qatari government on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

These talks occurred during Minister Nduhungirehe’s official visit to Qatar and are part of Qatar’s broader strategy to expand its economic presence across Africa.

According to Qatar News Agency, the two ministers also addressed efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as several other issues of mutual interest.

Qatar and Rwanda have been rapidly expanding cooperation in strategic sectors. In February, Qatar lifted visa requirements for Rwandan nationals. The Gulf state also continues to invest heavily in Rwanda’s aviation and infrastructure sectors.

Qatar Airways holds a 60% stake in RwandAir and is one of the primary financiers of Rwanda’s new Bugesera airport project. Qatar has also taken on a mediation role in efforts to end the conflict in eastern DRC.

Trade between the two countries reached $3.7 million in 2023, according to the International Trade Center.