President Paul Kagame arrived in Salalah on Monday, September 7, for a two-day official visit to Oman aimed at strengthening cooperation between Rwanda and the Gulf state.
Kagame was received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah, where he was accorded an official welcome ceremony, including a 21-gun salute and military honours. The Rwandan president is accompanied by a delegation including Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, Finance and Economic Planning Minister Yusuf Murangwa, Trade and Industry Minister Antoine Kajangwe, Minister of State for Agriculture Solange Uwituze, Rwanda Development Board CEO Juliana Muganza and other officials.
The visit, running from September 7 to 8, is the first official visit to Oman by a Rwandan president and comes as the two countries expand cooperation across trade, investment, aviation, energy, logistics, ICT and infrastructure.
During Monday’s bilateral talks, Kagame and Sultan Haitham discussed cooperation and investment in mining, renewable energy, food security, land ports, logistics and healthcare. The talks were aimed at strengthening investment partnerships and expanding areas of mutual economic interest.
The visit builds on agreements reached earlier this year when Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe led a Rwandan delegation to Muscat in January. The two countries signed four memoranda of understanding covering logistics and inland port development, aviation, investment and infrastructure around Bugesera International Airport, and ICT and innovation, including data hosting, cloud services and data-centre development.
Aviation has emerged as one of the most visible areas of the growing partnership. SalamAir launched twice-weekly direct flights between Muscat and Kigali in July, with an approximate flight time of five hours. Oman Air had also announced plans earlier in the year for direct Muscat-Kigali services.
Energy cooperation has also expanded. In July, the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) signed an agreement with Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited to facilitate the importation and storage of bulk refined petroleum products through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga. The first 40,000-tonne shipment subsequently reached Tanga in July under the new arrangement.
The energy partnership is significant because Rwanda has been seeking to diversify its petroleum supply routes and strengthen energy security. The new arrangements are designed to allow bulk procurement through regional ports and reduce the country’s exposure to disruptions in international fuel markets.
On Tuesday, Kagame is scheduled to visit the Museum of the Frankincense Land in Salalah, located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Al Baleed Archaeological Park. The museum documents the archaeological and cultural heritage of the Dhofar region and the historical importance of the frankincense trade.
He is also scheduled to visit the Razat Royal Farm, a major agricultural production centre in Dhofar that also serves as an agri-tourism and educational facility.
Sultan Haitham will hosted Kagame and his delegation at a state banquet, while a private luncheon is also scheduled in the Rwandan president’s honour at Al-Mamurah Palace.
The visit comes against the backdrop of more than two decades of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Oman and a recent acceleration in economic engagement. With cooperation now extending from aviation and petroleum supply to logistics, digital infrastructure, agriculture and investment, the two governments are seeking to translate closer political relations into broader commercial and development partnerships.
