Türkiye has described Rwanda as one of its most strategic partners in East Africa, citing growing cooperation in trade, defense, education and infrastructure as ties between the two countries continue to deepen.
Speaking on Friday during the Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali, Aslan Alper Yüksel told Anadolu Agency that relations between Ankara and Kigali have expanded significantly in recent years, driven by mutual trust and shared strategic interests.
“Rwanda is not only a valuable partner in bilateral relations but also in terms of Türkiye’s outreach to East Africa,” Yüksel said.
The ambassador pointed to the visit by Paul Kagame to Türkiye last year at the invitation of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as evidence of the strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Yüksel praised Rwanda’s governance and development model, describing the country as one of Africa’s leading examples in public administration, digital transformation, infrastructure development, environmental protection, women’s political participation, as well as security and stability.
He also highlighted Rwanda’s favorable investment climate and anti-corruption record, saying these factors continue to attract international investors and strategic partnerships.
“We see Rwanda as an important partner in East Africa because it prioritizes stability, focuses on reforms and is able to work in an integrated way with the international system,” he said.
According to the ambassador, economic cooperation remains a key pillar of bilateral relations, with Turkish private companies increasingly participating in infrastructure and construction projects across Rwanda.
He added that cooperation in the defense industry has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in relations between the two countries.
Educational and cultural exchanges have also expanded, with hundreds of Rwandan students currently pursuing studies in Türkiye through the Turkish government scholarship program and private arrangements.
Yüksel further noted that Turkish-language education is gaining momentum at the University of Rwanda through programs supported by Turkish institutions.
He also emphasized the importance of Turkish Airlines daily flights to Kigali, saying the route has strengthened Rwanda’s international connectivity and business accessibility.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, Yüksel said the country had made remarkable progress since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, during which nearly one million people were killed.
“Kigali’s emergence as a regional business, technology and innovation hub is no coincidence,” he said, adding that Rwanda hosting the Africa CEO Forum for the third time demonstrates its growing influence on the continent.
The ambassador also encouraged Turkish investors to consider Rwanda as a strategic gateway to the East African Community market, which offers access to hundreds of millions of consumers across the region.
