President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria will “seriously consider” granting Rwandan citizens 30-day visa-free entry, in a move aimed at deepening bilateral relations and advancing Pan-African integration.
The proposal was disclosed in a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, following Tinubu’s meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali, where the Nigerian leader is attending the Africa CEO Forum alongside other African heads of state and business leaders.
According to the presidency, the proposed arrangement would mirror Rwanda’s existing policy that already allows Nigerians visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
“In reviewing consular matters, President Tinubu stated that Nigeria will seriously consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free status for Nigerians in the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” the statement said.
Both leaders also agreed to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission signed in 2021, describing it as a key framework for strengthening institutional cooperation between Nigeria and Rwanda. Nigeria is expected to host the next session of the commission as part of renewed bilateral engagements.
The discussions further focused on improving trade, mobility, and broader institutional collaboration, with both countries emphasising the need to reduce barriers to intra-African movement and economic exchange.
Tinubu and Kagame also agreed to reactivate pending Memoranda of Understanding covering tourism, anti-corruption cooperation, and efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing the importance of fully operationalising the agreement to boost regional trade and economic integration across the continent.
Nigeria is also in talks with RwandAir to expand export logistics and create additional opportunities for Nigerian businesses, a move expected to strengthen air cargo connectivity between both countries. Nigeria had previously established a similar arrangement with Uganda Airways last year.
The renewed engagement comes amid broader continental efforts to translate Africa’s integration agenda into practical economic outcomes through improved trade, travel, and investment frameworks.
Earlier at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, Tinubu had criticised global financial systems, blaming illicit financial flows, restrictive international financial policies, and high borrowing costs for Africa’s weak manufacturing base.
He argued that global financial structures continue to disadvantage African economies and urged reforms to support industrial growth on the continent.
Tinubu noted that Africa contributes less than two per cent to global manufacturing output, largely because many countries still export raw materials while importing finished goods.
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