President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Paul Kagame have agreed to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda, with both leaders pledging to activate key cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.

President Tinubu met with Kagame on Wednesday at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali shortly after arriving in Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum.

During the meeting, the two leaders emphasised the need to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), which was signed by both countries in 2021, describing it as a critical platform for advancing shared goals. They also agreed that Nigeria would host the next meeting of the commission.

On consular relations, Tinubu said Nigeria would seriously consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free policy for Nigerians, noting that the move aligns with the spirit of Pan-Africanism and regional integration.

The discussions also covered the implementation of pending Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in the areas of tourism, anti-corruption and the fight against illicit drugs.

Both presidents further exchanged ideas on operationalising the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) between Nigeria and Rwanda, reaffirming their commitment to expanding intra-African trade and economic cooperation.

As part of efforts to boost trade opportunities, Nigeria is also in talks with RwandAir to establish stronger export channels for Nigerian businesses across Africa. This follows the establishment of an air cargo corridor between Nigeria and Uganda Airways last year.

The Africa CEO Forum is scheduled to begin in Kigali on Thursday.