President Paul Kagame has arrived in Azerbaijan for a three-day visit that goes beyond the ceremonial handshakes and state banquets. His presence in Baku ties directly to Rwanda’s ambitions under the National Strategy for Transformation, known as NST2, which runs from 2024 to 2029.
At its core, this plan is about using diplomacy as an engine of economic growth; building partnerships, attracting investment, boosting trade, and putting Rwanda on the map as a hub for innovation and opportunity in Africa.
I should note that I do not know Azerbaijan extensively, but from a few articles, reports, and readings, I have some reflections to share. These are my own thoughts on what Kagame’s visit might mean for Rwanda.
For many Rwandans, the question might be; what does a small country in the South Caucasus, thousands of kilometers away, have to do with our lives here? The answer begins with Azerbaijan itself. Once struggling after the collapse of the Soviet Union and years of war, it has transformed itself using oil and gas wealth.
Baku’s skyline today mixes glittering towers with centuries-old architecture; a symbol of how a nation can change its fortunes when natural wealth is combined with smart planning.
Rwanda does not have vast oil reserves, but it shares something even more crucial: a determination to use limited resources wisely and build for the future. From what I have read, there is much Rwanda can learn from Azerbaijan’s pragmatic approach to development.
Both countries know what it means to rise from the ashes of conflict. Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, and Azerbaijan after its long and bitter struggle over Nagorno-Karabakh. Those histories are different, but they create a sense of kinship.
In both cases, stability became the foundation for development, and resilience became part of the national character. Kagame’s visit today is not just about business deals; it is about two countries that understand one another’s journey and see the value in working together.
Energy is a natural focus of the discussions. Azerbaijan has pipelines that fuel Europe, but it is also turning to solar and wind power to diversify its future. Rwanda, meanwhile, is racing to achieve universal access to electricity by 2029.
Anyone who has studied by candlelight or struggled to keep a shop open during a blackout knows how life-changing reliable energy can be. If Azerbaijan’s expertise can be shared with Rwanda, through partnerships or technical support, it could accelerate progress. Imagine small businesses in Musanze running late into the night because the lights never flicker, or farmers in Gisagara processing crops without fear of power cuts.
These are the kinds of changes such diplomacy can bring.
Trade also sits high on the agenda. Rwanda’s coffee and tea could find their way into Azerbaijani homes and cafés; perhaps in Baku, a young professional might sip a cappuccino brewed with beans grown in Nyamasheke without realizing the story behind it.
For farmers back home, every new export market means more income and more opportunities. Rwanda, in turn, could benefit from imports of grains or cotton from Azerbaijan, helping keep food supplies steady and prices affordable.
Investment follows naturally from trade. Azerbaijan has built a thriving free trade zone near its Alat port, attracting global companies.
Rwanda is nurturing its Kigali Special Economic Zone with similar goals. If Azerbaijani investors choose Kigali, whether in ICT, logistics, or light manufacturing, it would mean more jobs and more skills for Rwandans. For young people entering the job market, that could be the difference between waiting for work and walking into a new opportunity.
Security is another quiet but important thread. Both countries know that development cannot survive without peace. Azerbaijan has been rebuilding territories scarred by war, while Rwanda has developed a reputation for stability and for its peacekeeping missions abroad.
Discussions on security cooperation could involve sharing Rwanda’s innovative models of community safety, while also learning from Azerbaijan’s military experience. For Rwanda, closer ties could also mean access to advanced training and technology; for Azerbaijan, lessons on building lasting peace at home and abroad.
This partnership is not just about copying one another’s strengths. It is about pragmatism and innovation. Rwanda has pioneered practical policies that work on the ground; community health insurance, digital tax systems, and e-governance tools like Irembo.
Azerbaijan has lessons in infrastructure and energy. Blending these strengths could create a model of South-South cooperation that is not based on charity or dependency, but on solving real problems.
Of course, challenges exist. Rwanda and Azerbaijan are far apart and have little history of working together. Azerbaijan’s economy is also much larger, which could tilt the balance. To keep the relationship equal, Rwanda must focus on areas where it is competitive: premium coffee and tea, digital governance, and security expertise.
The two countries will also need to work through international platforms like the United Nations or the Non-Aligned Movement to keep their partnership alive once the visit ends.
Yet, the symbolism of Kagame’s arrival today is powerful. By stepping into Azerbaijan, Rwanda signals that it will not limit itself to old diplomatic patterns that always look to Europe, America, or China. It shows that opportunities can be found in new places, and that Rwanda is adaptable and ambitious enough to seek them.
For Rwandans, the immediate effects may not be visible tomorrow. But these visits plant seeds; they open doors for farmers, entrepreneurs, and students.
They create pathways for investments, trade, and security partnerships that can take years to mature but eventually transform lives.
When a young start-up in Kigali finds funding from Baku, or a cooperative in Byumba signs a deal to export tea eastward, it will be part of the story that began with this visit.
Kagame’s arrival in Azerbaijan is not just a diplomatic event; it is another chapter in Rwanda’s pursuit of a future where partnerships stretch beyond familiar borders. It is about showing that Rwanda, small though it may be, has the vision and confidence to build ties wherever opportunity lies, and to translate those ties into development that touches ordinary lives.
From my perspective, while I do not claim to know Azerbaijan deeply, these reflections capture what I think the visit could mean for Rwanda, based on my readings, observations, and the lessons the country can borrow.
What do you think? What’s your opinion?
