Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, where he immediately began high-level engagements with President Paul Kagame ahead of the 2026 Africa CEO Forum.
The forum is a major continental gathering expected to attract political and business leaders from across Africa.
The Nigerian President was received by Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Village following his arrival at Kigali International Airport aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft.
Videos released by the Nigerian Television Authority captured Tinubu inspecting a guard of honour and exchanging greetings with top Nigerian and Rwandan officials before departing the airport in a presidential convoy.
Shortly afterwards, Kagame formally welcomed the Nigerian leader for bilateral talks at the presidential complex, where both leaders were seen holding discussions in the presence of officials from the two countries.
Tinubu’s visit comes ahead of the Africa CEO Forum scheduled for May 14 and 15 at the Kigali Convention Centre.
The summit, regarded as Africa’s leading private sector forum, is expected to host over 2,000 business executives, investors, policymakers and several African heads of state under the theme, “Scale or Fail: Why Africa must embrace shared ownership.”
In a statement issued ahead of the trip, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu’s participation aligns with efforts to deepen economic reforms and position Nigeria as a preferred investment destination on the continent.
Dare described Kigali as a strategic platform for the President to present Nigeria’s economic agenda and strengthen continental investment partnerships.
The Rwanda visit forms part of Tinubu’s ongoing three-nation diplomatic tour which began with his participation in the Africa–France Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, between May 11 and 12.
The summit was jointly hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto.
Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria after the forum ahead of the All Progressives Congress presidential primary scheduled for May 23.
