Rwanda,Oman Deepen Ties with Visa Deal and Six Cooperation Agreements

Rwanda and Oman have strengthened their bilateral relations after signing two agreements and six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering trade, investment, travel, agriculture, logistics and other areas of cooperation.

The agreements were signed today , at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah, during President Paul Kagame’s two-day working visit to Oman.

Among the key agreements is a visa exemption arrangement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, alongside an agreement aimed at preventing double taxation between the two countries.

The six MoUs provide a framework for cooperation in political consultations,  trade and investment, logistics, agriculture, and strategic partnership and investment activation.

The deals come as Rwanda and Oman continue to expand economic and diplomatic ties, particularly in the areas of energy, transport and trade.

One of the most significant recent developments is an agreement for Rwanda to receive direct shipments of refined petroleum products from Oman through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga. The arrangement is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s fuel supply security and contribute to greater price stability.

The two countries have also enhanced connectivity following the launch of direct flights between Muscat and Kigali, operated by SalamAir. The route is expected to facilitate tourism, trade and business while connecting Rwanda more directly with markets across the Gulf, Asia and Europe.

Rwanda and Oman established diplomatic relations in 1982, but their commercial links date back much further.

Rwanda’s honorary consul to Oman, Hamood bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, said earlier this year that Omani merchants were among the earliest foreign traders to establish commercial centres in Rwanda in the early 1900s.