Benin President Wadagni in Rwanda for Two-Day Visit.
Benin President Romuald Wadagni arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday for a two-day working visit, during which he held talks with President Paul Kagame on strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
The two leaders met at the President’s Office, where Wadagni was accorded a military guard of honour before holding a closed-door meeting with Kagame.
Their discussions focused on Rwanda-Benin relations and ways to strengthen cooperation in areas including security, trade, investment, transport, tourism and technology.
The two presidents are also expected to lead talks bringing together delegations from the two countries to discuss areas of mutual interest.
Wadagni’s visit is his first working trip to Rwanda since he became President of Benin in May this year. He was elected on April 12 and sworn in on May 24 for a seven-year term.
Before becoming president, Wadagni served as Benin’s Minister of Economy under former President Patrice Talon.
The two leaders’ current engagement builds on previous contacts between Rwanda and Benin.
Kagame last visited Benin in 2023, when the country was still led by Talon. During that visit, Kagame and Talon held talks and signed a security cooperation agreement.
Wadagni also travelled to Rwanda in 2023 while serving as Talon’s Minister of Economy. He visited the country as Talon’s special envoy and delivered a message from the then-Beninese president to Kagame.
The latest visit therefore comes as the two countries seek to build on the cooperation established during the previous administration.
As part of his programme in Rwanda, Wadagni is expected to visit several locations, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi.
