The deal was signed on September 27, 2025, in New York on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. It grants airlines from both countries the right to operate freely in each other’s airspace, marking a new chapter in their three-year-old diplomatic relationship that began in May 2022.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, hailed the agreement as proof of Rwanda’s commitment to deeper global integration and shared development.

The partnership builds on the two nations’ membership in the Commonwealth and the Group of 77 plus China, and it aligns with Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional financial and transport hub. Kigali’s International Financial Centre (KIFC) is expected to play a supportive role in expanding opportunities for trade and investment.

Beyond aviation, the two countries are also working to expand cooperation in business, investment, and youth empowerment, with a focus on connecting Africa and the Caribbean. Both nations maintain embassies in Kigali and Port of Spain to strengthen these ties.

The agreement further underscores the historical bonds between Africa and the Caribbean, where millions of people trace their roots back to Africa through the legacy of slavery.

This milestone follows Rwanda’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2022, which highlighted growing Africa–Caribbean relations and opened the door for partnerships such as this one.