The message was delivered during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh between Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.
In his message, President Kagame expressed Rwanda’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid evolving regional circumstances, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
The Middle East region has, in recent months, been experiencing heightened geopolitical tensions and security challenges, marked by escalating regional frictions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
These developments have unfolded alongside the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict and the war in Gaza, rising instability in the Red Sea affecting maritime security, and broader tensions involving Iran and several Gulf states.
Collectively, these dynamics have continued to strain regional stability, disrupt key shipping routes, and impact international trade and energy flows.
Meanwhile, during the recent meeting, the two ministers also discussed bilateral relations between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia and reviewed a number of issues of common interest aimed at further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and Director General of the General Administration for African Affairs Saqr Al-Qurashi.
Rwanda and Saudi Arabia continue to cooperate on major infrastructure projects, including healthcare facilities, energy systems, and road development.
Saudi Arabia previously extended a $42 million loan to Rwanda for the construction of road projects covering a total of 150 kilometres, including the Nyagatare–Base–Rukomo and Huye–Kitabi roads, which were officially inaugurated last year.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has also grown steadily in recent years. Between 2022 and 2025, Saudi Arabia ranked among the leading destinations for Rwandan exports.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) indicates that Rwandan exports to Saudi Arabia reached $1.2 billion between the first and third quarters of 2025.
In February 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Trade Authority (FSC) and Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) established a joint commission aimed at strengthening trade cooperation between the two countries.
The commission is expected to support the expansion of trade and investment flows, as well as enhance cultural cooperation between the two sides, according to officials.
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