President Paul Kagame's first-ever state visit to Cambodia has marked a significant milestone in relations between the two countries. The visit, which began on November 12, 2026, featured a royal reception, a state banquet hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni, and the signing of three bilateral agreements. Kagame was accompanied by First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame and a high-level delegation, making him the first Rwandan Head of State to visit the Southeast Asian kingdom.
During the visit, Kagame held bilateral talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace on November 13. They discussed ways to expand economic cooperation, strengthen trade and investment ties, and increase collaboration in tourism and aviation. The two leaders witnessed the exchange of three agreements, including a memorandum of understanding between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Cambodia's Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) to promote investment and strengthen cooperation between the two institutions.
The second agreement established a framework for tourism cooperation, providing for joint promotion and exchanges between relevant institutions. The third was a Bilateral Air Services Agreement, creating a framework for aviation cooperation and potentially supporting future air connections between the two countries. However, no direct flights between Kigali and Phnom Penh have been announced. These agreements aim to build closer links between businesses in both countries and provide a further basis for expanding relations.
Kagame and Hun Manet also discussed cooperation in other sectors, including transnational crime, technology-enabled scams, and collaboration through international platforms such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Kagame commended Cambodia's recovery and socio-economic progress after the devastation of the Khmer Rouge era, while Hun Manet welcomed Kagame and the Rwandan delegation.
In addition to his meeting with Hun Manet, Kagame met with Senate President Hun Sen and National Assembly President Khuon Sudary. They discussed the two countries' shared experiences of national tragedy, recovery, and rebuilding, as well as parliamentary cooperation, bilateral relations, and gender equality and women's representation in leadership. The diplomatic engagements were accompanied by formal ceremonies that reflected the importance Cambodia attached to the visit.
At the Royal Palace, King Norodom Sihamoni received Kagame and the First Lady with full state honours, granting them a royal audience. Kagame also laid wreaths at the Independence Monument and paid tribute at the memorial dedicated to the late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. The visit's highlight came on Friday evening, when King Norodom Sihamoni hosted a state banquet in honour of Kagame, the First Lady, and the Rwandan delegation.
During the state banquet, Kagame described the visit as the beginning of a stronger partnership between the two countries, saying, "Rwanda is very happy to be working with Cambodia... This visit is the beginning of a new chapter, that will strengthen our cooperation, and bonds of friendship." The visit comes as Cambodia prepares to host the 20th Summit of La Francophonie from November 14 to 16, and it marks a significant step in strengthening relations between Rwanda and Cambodia, which established diplomatic relations in 2005.
Key points
- The visit resulted in the signing of three bilateral agreements to boost investment, tourism, and aviation cooperation between Rwanda and Cambodia.
- Kagame and Hun Manet discussed ways to expand economic cooperation, strengthen trade and investment ties, and increase collaboration in tourism and aviation.
- The visit marked a significant milestone in relations between Rwanda and Cambodia, with Kagame becoming the first Rwandan Head of State to visit the Southeast Asian kingdom.
