President Paul Kagame arrived in Gaborone on Wednesday, May 6, for a two-day State Visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across key sectors. Upon arrival at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, he was warmly received by his counterpart, President Duma Boko, in a display of the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The visit features a series of high-level engagements designed to reinforce cooperation and explore new partnership opportunities. President Kagame and President Boko are scheduled to hold a tête-à -tête meeting, followed by broader bilateral talks involving senior officials from both countries. The leaders will later address a joint press conference, where they are expected to outline key outcomes and shared priorities.
The discussions are set to culminate in the signing of several bilateral agreements and Memorandums of Understanding. These agreements will span multiple sectors, including a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, visa facilitation arrangements for diplomatic and official passport holders, and a Bilateral Air Services Agreement.
Additional areas of cooperation include health, trade and investment, and institutional collaboration between the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre and the Rwanda Development Board.
In the evening, President Kagame will attend a State Banquet hosted in his honour by President Boko, further highlighting the cordial relations and mutual respect between the two countries.
On the second day of the visit, President Kagame is expected to tour the Botswana Diamond Trading Company, a key player in Botswana’s mineral sector. The visit is anticipated to provide insights into the country’s diamond value chain and explore opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration in resource management.
This State Visit follows earlier engagements, including the Second Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) and the Rwanda–Botswana Business Forum, which brought together government and private sector stakeholders to identify areas of mutual interest and strengthen economic ties.
Rwanda and Botswana continue to maintain strong and growing bilateral relations, built on cooperation in diplomacy, trade, investment promotion, agriculture, security, and institutional development. The current visit is expected to further strengthen these relations, enhance strategic partnerships, and create new opportunities for sustainable development and regional integration.
