- AFRICA DIPLOMACY NETWORK

President Paul Kagame has arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, for a three day official working visit.

According to an announcement shared on the official account of the Office of the President (Village Urugwiro) on September 19, 2025, President Kagame landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, accompanied by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Gen. (Rtd) James Kabarebe.

On Saturday, President Kagame is scheduled to pay tribute to Azerbaijan’s national hero, Heydar Aliyev, by laying a wreath at his memorial. He will also lay flowers at the monument honoring those who perished in the First and Second Karabakh Wars.

Later, President Kagame will be officially received by President Ilham Aliyev at the Presidential Palace, where the two leaders will hold bilateral talks.

It is expected that both Heads of State will also witness the signing of agreements in key areas including education, agriculture, civil aviation, trade, and the delivery of public services.

President Kagame last visited Baku in November 2024, when he attended the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

In October 2024, Rwanda and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in various sectors, when Ambassador Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. On that occasion, Ambassador Kayonga highlighted areas such as trade, investment, science, education, and humanitarian activities as priority fields for collaboration.

President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, asked Ambassador Kayonga to convey his greetings to President Kagame.

Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Azerbaijan were formally established in 2017. Azerbaijan is represented in Rwanda through its diplomat based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.