President Paul Kagame on Thursday, November 20, welcomed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Rwanda with a distinguished cultural honour, gifting him Inyambo cows, an enduring symbol of respect, friendship and long-standing goodwill in Rwandan tradition.
The gesture took place during a private tour of the President’s farm in Kibugabuga, where the two leaders held a brief tête-à-tête at the start of the Emir’s two-day working visit.
Sheikh Tamim arrived earlier in the day and was received by Kagame at Kigali International Airport before travelling upcountry for the cultural exchange.
According to Village Urugwiro, the decision to offer Inyambo, Rwanda’s long-horned royal cattle, reflects a cherished custom that conveys honour and trust between leaders.
For centuries, cattle have carried deep social and symbolic value in Rwanda, with their exchange traditionally marking the strengthening of alliances and the expression of profound respect.
The visit comes at a time when cooperation between Rwanda and Qatar continues to broaden across key sectors. The two leaders most recently met in Doha in early November 2025, where they reviewed ongoing partnerships and discussed emerging areas of collaboration.
Their current engagements are expected to culminate in the signing of new agreements that will further reinforce bilateral ties.
Aviation remains one of the strongest pillars of Rwanda–Qatar relations. Qatar Airways is progressing toward acquiring a 49 percent stake in RwandAir, while also holding 60 percent ownership in the Bugesera International Airport development.
The $2 billion project is designed to transform Rwanda into a major regional aviation hub, with the first phase of its state-of-the-art terminal expected to handle eight million passengers annually and scale to more than 14 million in subsequent years.
Beyond aviation, cooperation extends to investment, tourism, hospitality, and security. Earlier this year, Qatar approved a draft mutual visa waiver for ordinary Rwandan passport holders, signaling growing trust and easing travel for citizens of both countries.
The relationship has steadily expanded since the Emir’s earlier visits, including his 2019 state visit and his attendance as a special guest at the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali.
The cultural exchange in Kibugabuga underscores the personal rapport between the two heads of state, the strategic importance each country places on partnership and acts as a symbolic reminder of the shared vision guiding their diplomatic and economic engagement.
