The minister made the remarks on June 4, 2026, during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States, hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nduhungirehe praised the growing partnership between Rwanda and the United States, describing it as a relationship built on shared interests in innovation, development, education, science, and technology.

He noted that over the past decade, bilateral ties between the two countries have significantly expanded, including cooperation in emerging sectors such as space exploration through the Artemis Accords.

The Artemis Accords, launched in 2020 by the United States Department of State in partnership with NASA, establish principles for peaceful cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space. Rwanda signed the accords in December 2020 during a ceremony attended by President Paul Kagame in Washington, D.C.

According to the minister, Rwanda’s participation in the Artemis framework reflects the country’s commitment to ensuring that space remains a peaceful and sustainable environment for future generations.

“As a signatory to the Artemis Accords, Rwanda is committed to identifying practical opportunities for collaboration with NASA and other partners in ways that promote scientific research, capacity building, innovation, and economic development,” Nduhungirehe said.

The minister also highlighted Rwanda’s broader cooperation with the United States in sectors including healthcare, trade, education, advanced technology, and investment under the Strategic Bilateral Dialogue framework.

He pointed to recent agreements on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation signed during the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA) hosted in Kigali in May 2026. The agreements include training opportunities for Rwandan students in nuclear sciences and support for future nuclear-related projects.

Nduhungirehe further welcomed expanding American investment in Rwanda, including partnerships in the mining sector and technology. He cited the continued expansion of Zipline’s drone delivery operations in Rwanda, supported by major U.S. investment, as an example of successful innovation-driven cooperation.

The United States is currently celebrating 250 years since gaining independence from Britain, marking a historic milestone in the country’s political, economic, and technological development.