Beninese President His Excellency Romuald Wadagni on Thursday, September 17, concluded a two-day official visit to Rwanda during which he held talks with Hs Excellency President Paul Kagame, paid his respects at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and toured the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture among other engagements. 

It was his first visit to Rwanda since taking office in May, following his election in April. The talks centred on cooperation established in recent years in security, trade, investment, transport, tourism, ICT and agriculture.

President Wadagni arrived on Wednesday morning and was received with full honours at Urugwiro Village in Kigali. After inspecting a military guard of honour, he held private talks with President Kagame, who later hosted him to an official lunch. The two leaders directed their delegations to speed up work on existing agreements and to explore new cooperation in trade and investment, digital transformation, security, governance, agriculture and air transport.

Later that day, President Wadagni visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, where he paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In the evening, the two presidents joined residents for a walk along the Nyarutarama Green Carpet, a lakeside pedestrian corridor popular for walking, running and recreation.

The two countries signed several cooperation instruments, including a security and military agreement, during President Kagame’s 2023 state visit to Benin. President Wadagni travelled to Rwanda that year as Benin’s finance minister and special envoy. His visit talks built on that foundation, with the focus on turning existing commitments into results.