SALALAH, Oman — President Paul Kagame on Monday, September 7, 2026, began a two-day official visit to the Sultanate of Oman, holding bilateral talks with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq as Rwanda and Oman seek to deepen diplomatic relations and expand economic cooperation across several strategic sectors.
President Kagame was received at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah, where an official welcoming ceremony was held before the two leaders and their delegations began discussions. According to Oman News Agency, the ceremony included the playing of Rwanda’s national anthem and a 21-gun salute in recognition of the visiting Rwandan Head of State. Sultan Haitham welcomed President Kagame and expressed his wishes for a successful visit by the President and his delegation.
The visit reflects growing relations between Rwanda and Oman and provides the two countries with an opportunity to turn their diplomatic engagement into broader economic and investment partnerships. The Presidency of Rwanda said President Kagame and Sultan Haitham highlighted the historical relationship between their countries and the opportunity to build on that foundation through stronger cooperation.
Official talks focused particularly on mining, renewable energy, food security, land ports, logistics and healthcare. The discussions examined opportunities for investment and cooperation that could contribute to economic development and advance the shared interests of Rwandans and Omanis.
The Omani Royal Court described the visit as part of a shared effort to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two nations. In its official announcement ahead of President Kagame’s arrival, the Royal Court said the visit was driven by the two governments’ commitment to “develop and expand joint ties” for the benefit of their peoples.
For Rwanda, closer cooperation with Oman could strengthen the country’s economic connections with the Gulf region while opening additional opportunities for investment, trade, energy cooperation and international logistics. Oman, with its strategic position linking the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Ocean and major international shipping routes, also offers opportunities for Rwanda as it continues developing connections between East Africa and global markets.
President Kagame was accompanied by a senior Rwandan delegation that included Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Trade and Industry Antoine Kajangwe, Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources Solange Uwituze, Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer Juliana Muganza and Rwanda’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Oman, Dan Munyuza.
The composition of both delegations underscored the economic focus of the talks. Senior Omani officials responsible for foreign affairs, finance, energy and minerals, transportation, communications, investment and economic affairs participated in the discussions, creating a platform for practical cooperation between institutions from both countries.
The visit comes as Rwanda continues to broaden its international economic partnerships and position itself as an investment and business gateway in East Africa. For Kigali and Muscat, cooperation in renewable energy, logistics, food security, healthcare and investment could provide tangible areas in which political goodwill is translated into long-term economic opportunities.
President Kagame’s two-day visit is scheduled to continue through September 8. Oman said the broader objective of the engagement is to strengthen friendship and cooperation and address matters of mutual interest in ways that meet the aspirations of both countries.
The meeting between President Kagame and Sultan Haitham therefore marks an important high-level step in Rwanda–Oman relations, with both governments signaling that their partnership is increasingly focused on practical investment, stronger connectivity and mutually beneficial economic development.
