Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Set for Landmark Visit to Kigali to Deepen Rwanda–Senegal Cooperation

Invited by President Paul Kagame, the Senegalese Head of State will be in Rwanda from October 17 to 19, 2025, before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya, for the next leg of his African tour. The visit follows resolutions from the Cabinet meeting of October 9, 2025, underlining Rwanda’s continued commitment to regional diplomacy and partnership.

This will be President Faye’s first official visit to Rwanda, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two nations. President Kagame has already visited Senegal twice since Faye assumed office, underscoring the dynamic ties and shared vision of the two leaders.

During President Kagame’s earlier visit to Dakar in May 2024, the two leaders discussed advancing cooperation in tourism, trade, and governance, emphasizing innovation and mutual prosperity. That meeting also reflected a warm camaraderie, as President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko hosted President Kagame at a state dinner.

Beyond bilateral relations, both presidents have been vocal advocates for African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges. Their discussions in February 2025 centered on strengthening regional security and collective action to ensure sustainable peace and development.

In August 2025, President Kagame returned to Dakar for the Africa Food Chain Summit, where he and President Faye joined young African entrepreneurs and agripreneurs to promote innovation in food systems and agriculture.

The Rwanda–Senegal partnership continues to grow stronger, supported by multiple cooperation agreements signed over the years. These include pacts on culture (1975), general cooperation (2004), and the establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission (2016) to monitor bilateral relations. Media collaboration between Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) and Radio Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS) has also furthered cultural exchange.

Rwanda opened its Embassy in Dakar in 2011, marking a decade of active diplomatic engagement celebrated in 2021. Today, the Rwandan community in Senegal continues to thrive — including students, professionals, and entrepreneurs contributing to the social and economic fabric of both nations.

President Faye’s upcoming visit is therefore expected to consolidate progress, open new avenues of cooperation, and reaffirm the commitment of both Kigali and Dakar to building a stronger, united, and self-reliant Africa.