President Kagame attends Brice Nguema’s inauguration

On Saturday, May 3, President Paul Kagame arrived in Gabon to join leaders from across the continent at the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema General Brice Oligui Nguema—who led the 2023 coup that ended nearly 60 years of Bongo family rule—won the country’s presidential election in mid-April with over 90% of the vote. Rwanda and Gabon maintain regular diplomatic and trade relations, including air transport links through RwandAir, the Rwandan national carrier, which operates flights to Libreville, Gabon’s capital. In April 2024, a delegation of Gabonese business leaders concluded a two-day visit to Rwanda. During the visit, both parties explored trade and investment opportunities, as both countries consider deepening their economic and bilateral ties. Rwanda and Gabon signed a mutual cooperation agreement in 1976, which was renewed in 2010. In August 2024, Gabonese President attended the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame. Earlier, in October 2023, President Kagame hosted President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and his delegation at his office in Kigali. Their discussions focused on Gabon's political transition, regional security in Africa—especially among member states of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)—and opportunities for cooperation between Rwanda and Gabon across various sectors. The Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF) and other Rwandan business leaders operating in Gabon are planning to strengthen cooperation and expand business ventures there, as a strategy to boost trade and generate more employment.