Rwanda’s Ambassador-designate to Poland, Jeannot Ruhunga, on Friday presented copies of his Letters of Credence to Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wojciech Zajaczkowski, as the two countries seek to deepen a relationship that has expanded significantly in recent years.
The presentation in Warsaw is an important diplomatic step before Ruhunga formally presents his original credentials to the President of Poland and assumes his full responsibilities as Rwanda’s envoy.
During their meeting, Ruhunga and Zajaczkowski discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest. They also committed to sustaining the momentum established since Rwanda opened its resident embassy in Warsaw in 2021.
Rwanda and Poland established diplomatic relations in July 1962, shortly after Rwanda gained independence. For decades, the relationship was managed largely through non-resident diplomatic missions, but it has recently developed into a more visible partnership covering education, trade, investment, defence, aviation and technology.
Poland established its embassy in Kigali on 1 December 2022, giving the two countries a stronger platform for direct diplomatic and commercial engagement. Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at the time that the two countries were already cooperating in education and trade.
Education has become one of the most prominent links between the two countries, with a growing number of Rwandan students enrolling in Polish universities, particularly in medicine, engineering and other technical disciplines. Rwanda’s embassy in Warsaw also works closely with Polish academic institutions and the Rwandan student community.
Relations received a major political boost in February 2024, when then Polish President Andrzej Duda made the first visit to Rwanda by a Polish head of state. During the visit, Duda held talks with President Paul Kagame, attended a Rwanda-Poland business forum and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements covering trade, high technology, environmental engineering, geology and energy efficiency.
The two countries later signed a bilateral air services agreement, creating the legal framework for airlines from Rwanda and Poland to operate passenger and cargo services between their territories. The arrangement is intended to support tourism, trade and wider movement between East Africa and Central Europe.
In July 2026, Rwanda and Poland signed another agreement allowing eligible family members of diplomatic mission staff to take up employment in their host countries, reflecting the gradual expansion of formal cooperation between Kigali and Warsaw.
Ruhunga succeeds Professor Anastase Shyaka, Rwanda’s first resident ambassador to Poland, who helped establish the embassy and expand ties with the Polish government, universities and business community.
Before his diplomatic appointment, Ruhunga served as Secretary-General of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
