New York, September 2025 – Rwanda and Hungary have signed a new agreement to enhance cooperation in the field of sports, signaling strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries.
The agreement was signed in New York by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó, during high-level meetings preceding the United Nations’ 80th anniversary celebrations.
The broader bilateral agreement between Rwanda and Hungary covers water management, education, diplomatic cooperation, and investment.
The signing demonstrates the strong state of relations between Kigali and Budapest and the mutual commitment to deepening these ties.
Earlier this year, in May 2025, Ambassador Nduhungirehe visited Hungary to further diplomatic and economic cooperation.
In July 2023, Hungary’s then-President Katalin Novák, now led by Tamás Sulyok, visited Rwanda and met President Paul Kagame, along with Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, to discuss collaboration between the Catholic Churches of the two countries.
Rwanda officially opened its embassy in Budapest in December 2023, with Ambassador Marguerite Françoise Nyagahura serving as the first Rwandan envoy.
Hungary, represented in Rwanda through its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, established a diplomatic office in Kigali in 2023.
Hungary has a strong tradition in international sports, particularly in the Summer Olympic Games, ranking among the world’s top countries for Olympic medal achievements.
While the specific details of the Rwanda-Hungary sports cooperation agreement are not yet publicly known, Rwanda is pursuing a long-term vision of becoming a regional hub for multi-sport events.
In line with this vision, Rwanda is investing in major sports infrastructure, including the BK Arena, renovations and expansion of Stade Amahoro, and hosting international competitions, such as the ongoing multi-day cycling event.
The country is also exploring opportunities to host specialized motorsport events, including Formula One races.
The new sports partnership marks a significant step in Rwanda’s strategy to leverage international collaboration to enhance sports development and strengthen diplomatic ties.
