Amanze Chinonye
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday held bilateral talks with President Paul Kagame in Kigali, Rwanda, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening intra-African trade, expanding market access and strengthening continental economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Tinubu disclosed this after arriving in Kigali from Nairobi, Kenya, where he participated in the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted by President William Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron.
The Nigerian leader said discussions with Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Village focused on practical measures to boost bilateral trade between Nigeria and Rwanda, including improving logistics and continental connectivity for African businesses.
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According to Tinubu, Nigeria is also in the early stages of talks with RwandAir over a proposed flat-rate cargo arrangement aimed at helping Nigerian businesses transport goods more efficiently and predictably across Africa.
He noted that both countries, as strong advocates of the AfCFTA framework, are committed to advancing digital trade, reducing barriers limiting African enterprises and strengthening market integration across the continent.
“Africa must trade more with itself, move goods faster, connect its markets better, and give its entrepreneurs the continental scale they need to compete,” Tinubu stated.
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The president added that Nigeria would host the AfCFTA Council of Ministers and Digital Trade Forum in June, while also preparing to welcome participants for the Intra-African Trade Fair and Creative Africa Nexus events scheduled for November 5 to 11, 2026, and again in November 2027.
Tinubu stressed that Africa’s economic future would depend less on rhetoric and more on practical cooperation driven by trade, investment, innovation and infrastructure development.
“From the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi to the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, my message remains the same. Africa’s future will not be built by speeches alone. It will be built by trade, investment, innovation, and the courage to trust one another’s markets,” he said.
The meetings form part of Tinubu’s ongoing multi-nation diplomatic and economic engagement aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s regional partnerships and attracting greater continental investment cooperation.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
