PARIS, France — President Paul Kagame has used a high-level visit to Paris to advance Rwanda’s diplomatic partnerships while making a strong case for Africa to take a larger role in the rapidly expanding global space economy. His engagements included participation in the International Space Summit, talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, and a bilateral meeting with Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
The International Space Summit, held at the Grand Palais on September 9–10, brought together heads of state and government, ministers, astronauts, scientists, international organizations and representatives of the global space industry. According to the French presidency, discussions centered on international cooperation in the space economy, scientific and technological exploration, and the security and sustainable use of outer space.
Addressing the gathering, President Kagame presented Africa as a continent that should help shape the future of space rather than remain primarily a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere. He pointed to technological advances, declining costs and expanding private-sector involvement as developments that are opening opportunities for emerging economies. “Africa intends to be a full participant in this growth,” Kagame said, emphasizing the continent’s potential to contribute to research, science and international decision-making.
President Kagame also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the benefits of space development are broadly shared. “Ultimately, we should avoid reproducing in space the inequalities that exist in other domains,” he told the summit, according to the Presidency of Rwanda. He added that Rwanda was prepared to work with France, Europe and other international partners to expand cooperation and help ensure that space development delivers benefits beyond the world’s traditional technological powers.
Rwanda’s message was reinforced by its participation in the summit’s declaration supporting the peaceful, safe, secure, stable and sustainable use of outer space. Rwanda was among the signatories alongside countries including the United States’ close partners such as Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, as well as European states and international space institutions. The declaration emphasized adherence to established international principles governing outer space.
The Paris gathering also provided President Kagame with an opportunity to strengthen Rwanda’s bilateral diplomacy. On Friday, September 11, he met President Macron at the Élysée Palace. According to Rwanda’s presidency, their discussions addressed the continued development of Rwanda-France relations, cooperation in areas of common interest and regional and international developments.
The meeting comes as Rwanda and France continue developing a relationship increasingly focused on practical cooperation and engagement. President Kagame’s presence at a major summit convened by France also placed Rwanda within broader discussions about how African, European and other international partners can work together as space becomes increasingly important to communications, economic development, scientific research and national security.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Kagame also met Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso. According to the Rwandan presidency, the leaders discussed the longstanding relationship between Kigali and Brazzaville and exchanged views on shared priorities, including the importance of effective and sustainable African-led responses to challenges facing the continent.
The diplomatic meetings complemented Rwanda’s growing investment in space-related capabilities. The country established the Rwanda Space Agency in 2020 and has been developing infrastructure, technical expertise and educational programs intended to expand the use of space technologies for national development. Rwanda’s priorities include greater private-sector participation and developing specialized skills among young people.
President Kagame’s message in Paris placed those national ambitions within a broader African vision: a continent capable not only of using satellite services but also of producing knowledge, developing businesses and participating in decisions that will determine the future of the space economy. With Africa’s young and increasingly connected population, Kagame argued that investment in expertise could translate emerging technologies into economic opportunities and tangible value for African societies.
As competition in space accelerates among established and emerging powers, the Paris summit demonstrated that cooperation remains an important part of the international agenda. For Rwanda, the gathering provided both a platform for advocating greater African participation and an opportunity to deepen relationships with France, the Republic of Congo and other global partners—supporting Kigali’s wider strategy of positioning the country as an active participant in science, technology, innovation and international diplomacy.
