07 May 2026

Botswana and Rwanda cement ties with new agreements As two heads of state shook hands at the end of the press conference and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Botswana and Rwanda on Wednesday, the two countries’ ties were visibly cemented towards greater heights. Advocate Duma Boko and his guest, Mr Paul Kagame who commenced his two day state visit, vowed before the media to continue an upward trajectory towards a mutually beneficial relations between the two states. “What defines the relationship between Rwanda and Botswana is not only friendship, but also a shared sense of purpose. This is evident in the way we work together in our commitment to practical outcomes across areas such as air connectivity, visa facilitation, double taxation avoidance; the objective is to remove barriers and create a more predictable environment for investment and collaboration,” Mr Kagame said. He said Botswana has consistently demonstrated what forward looking leadership could accomplish, particularly in prudently managing natural resources, particularly diamonds to retain value and benefit of national development and transforming people’s lives. “This is an approach which strongly particularly resonates with us. That same clarity is evident in your efforts to strengthenu health security by investing in pharmaceutical capacity and resilience, Botswana addressing domestic needs while also contributing to a more self-reliant continent,” he said. Mr Kagame said the two countries’s partnership was on the right track in areas such as justice and security, and the partnership was now expanding towards economic sectors, citing the engagements taking place alongside the state visit, particularly between the two nations’ private sectors and investment arms,as being vital in that regard. “Ultimately, what we agree to here must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens, that is the true measure of success,” Mr Kagame said. He further said Rwanda is committed to seeing to the two countries’ partnership growing “in both substance and impact,” and also congratulated Botswana for hosting the World Athletics Relays, as well as the country’s “impeccable performance.” ENDS