President Kagame Receives Credentials from New Ambassadors, Including Those of France and Brazil

President Paul Kagame has received the credentials of four new ambassadors accredited to Rwanda, including those from Brazil, Denmark, France, and Egypt. The envoys pledged to strengthen bilateral ties and advance cooperation between their countries and Rwanda.

The credential ceremony took place on September 8, 2025, at Village Urugwiro.

Denmark Establishes First Embassy in Rwanda

Denmark’s new Ambassador to Rwanda, Casper Stenger Jensen, becomes the first to hold residence in Kigali following the official opening of Denmark’s embassy in August 2025. Previously, Denmark had only 11 embassies across Africa.

Ambassador Jensen said his priority will be to promote trade and investment between the two nations.

“One of the key areas I will focus on is expanding opportunities for trade and investment between our countries,” he said.

Rwanda and Denmark already share strong bilateral relations. In January 2024, the two countries signed cooperation agreements on climate change and environmental protection. They also collaborate in areas such as politics, refugee protection, and justice.

Denmark has previously extradited genocide suspects to Rwanda, including Dushimiyimana Emmanuel in 2014 and Wenceslas Twagirayezu in 2018.

**Ambassador Casper Stenger Jensen of Denmark is the first to be based in Kigali.**

Brazil Seeks Stronger Agricultural and Educational Partnerships

Brazil’s new envoy, Ambassador Irene Vida Gala, also presented her credentials to President Kagame. Previously, Brazil was represented in Rwanda through its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ambassador Gala said she is impressed by Rwanda’s progress and pledged to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, livestock, poverty reduction, and education. She added that Brazil hopes to learn from Rwanda’s reconciliation and peacebuilding experience.

She also expressed an ambitious vision to expand Rwanda’s global visibility:

“I dream of seeing ‘Visit Rwanda’ featured on the jerseys of one of our major football clubs. Brazil is home to some of the world’s most popular teams such as Flamengo and Corinthians—why not have one of them wear Visit Rwanda?”

Relations between Rwanda and Brazil date back to 1981. In July 2025, the two countries signed new agreements on agriculture and livestock, focusing on food security, climate-resilient farming, and knowledge exchange. Rwanda also began importing Girolando cattle from Brazil as part of efforts to boost dairy production.

In 2019, both countries signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to facilitate direct flights. Rwanda also imports wheat and sugar from Brazil, especially since the disruption of imports from Ukraine in 2022.

**Ambassador Irene Vida Gala was received by President Kagame and pledged to continue promoting agriculture and livestock development.**

France Reinforces Justice and Cooperation

France’s new Ambassador, Aurélie Royet-Gounin, succeeds Antoine Anfré. She emphasized that her mission will build on the improved relations between Rwanda and France following President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Kigali in 2021.

Ambassador Royet-Gounin pledged to strengthen cooperation in health, culture, and justice, with particular focus on ending impunity for genocide fugitives.

“Military cooperation and justice are essential priorities. We will continue to fight impunity and strengthen efforts to counter genocide denial, both in France and internationally,” she said.

Relations between Rwanda and France were strained for decades due to France’s role during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. However, ties improved significantly after President Macron acknowledged France’s responsibility during his 2021 visit to Kigali.

Egypt and Rwanda Deepen Economic Cooperation

The fourth envoy to present his credentials was Ambassador Hanan AbdelAziz Elsaid Shahin of Egypt, who will be based in Kigali.

**Ambassador Aurélie Royet-Gounin affirmed that they will continue to fight against the culture of impunity for those accused of crimes related to the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.**

Rwanda and Egypt signed cooperation agreements in August 2024 covering health, transport, and trade. As part of the deal, Rwanda allocated 10 hectares of land in Kirehe District to Egypt for trade development, while Egypt reciprocated with land for Rwanda in Cairo.

The two nations also collaborate under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and share long-standing bilateral relations dating back to 1976, when Egypt opened its embassy in Kigali. Rwanda re-established its embassy in Cairo in 2015.