Algeria, Rwanda Seal Strategic Alliance Rooted in Pan-African Vision

Forging a New Pan-African Axis: Algeria, Rwanda Cement Strategic Ties Through Landmark Bilateral Agreements and a Shared Vision for Sovereignty, Innovation, and Continental Integration

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

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Algiers, Algeria | June 4th, 2025 —  In a historic reaffirmation of pan-African solidarity and mutual strategic interests, Rwandan President Paul Kagame began a two-day state visit to Algeria on Monday at the invitation of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Marking a decade since his last official visit, Kagame’s return to Algiers signaled a deepening of the Algeria–Rwanda alliance, built upon shared African priorities, economic complementarity, and an unyielding commitment to continental sovereignty and self-determination.

The visit, conducted with full diplomatic honors, culminated in the signing of twelve major memorandums of understanding and cooperation agreements. These pacts cover an expansive array of sectors—including telecommunications, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital communication, investment promotion, the pharmaceutical industry, professional training, and media collaboration. The agreements, symbolically and substantively, establish the groundwork for transforming a historically underutilized bilateral relationship into a robust, strategic partnership.

Following high-level closed-door and expanded talks, President Tebboune praised the fruitful dialogue between the two delegations. “This visit is a valuable opportunity we have seized to deepen our bilateral relations,” he told the press in a joint declaration. “We have continued the discussions initiated in Nouakchott last December, in a spirit of mutual trust and strategic alignment.”

President Tebboune also announced the creation of an Algerian-Rwandan Business Council as a mechanism to catalyze commercial exchanges and investment flows. “We agreed to reinforce our trade relations through concrete mechanisms. We are committed to organizing regular meetings between our economic operators and to jointly participate in specialized international fairs,” he emphasized.

Kagame, for his part, hailed the outcome of the discussions as “constructive and rooted in a deep and enduring friendship.” He also expressed gratitude for Algeria’s support to Rwandan students in advanced sectors like artificial intelligence, describing the initiative as “a resounding success.” He further insisted on the need for a united Africa, stressing that “the continent must remain cohesive and resilient in the face of growing global challenges.”

Beyond bilateral matters, both presidents reaffirmed their unwavering support for pan-African ideals. Tebboune lauded Rwanda’s economic transformation, calling it “a model of resilience and performance for the entire continent.” He reiterated Algeria’s commitment to continental integration, explicitly supporting the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he sees as “essential for economic sovereignty and intra-African synergy.”

A particularly notable highlight was President Tebboune’s acknowledgment of Rwanda’s instrumental role in activating African Union institutions—most notably the African Medicines Agency (AMA), headquartered in Kigali. This agency has gained continental strategic importance, especially in the post-COVID era, amid global struggles for pharmaceutical sovereignty and access to healthcare.

On geopolitical fronts, both leaders aligned in their call for peaceful conflict resolution and the absolute necessity of respecting African nations’ sovereignty. “We maintain a convergent vision on key African issues,” President Tebboune affirmed. “We are firmly committed to peaceful conflict resolution and reject all forms of foreign interference.” He also expressed Algeria’s appreciation for Rwanda’s contributions to African peacekeeping, especially the deployment of over 6,000 Rwandan troops in Sudan under AU missions.

Crucially, the Sahrawi cause—an issue of principle for Algeria—featured prominently. Both countries reiterated their unequivocal support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. “We discussed various zones of conflict on the continent and reaffirmed our support for the Sahrawi people’s right to a free, fair, and credible referendum in accordance with international legality,” declared Tebboune.

On the humanitarian front, the tragedy in Gaza was also addressed. “We expressed our deep concern over the catastrophic situation in Gaza and emphasized the urgent need to end the aggression against the Palestinian people. We call for the swift delivery of humanitarian aid and uphold the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders with East El Quds as its capital,” President Tebboune stated, denouncing Zionist atrocities and calling for international accountability.

Multisectoral Agreements Herald a New Era of African Cooperation

Algeria and Rwanda formalized a sweeping strategic partnership on Tuesday through the signing of a series of high-level bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding. The ceremony, held at the Presidency of the Republic in Algiers, was co-presided over by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame.

Among the twelve instruments signed was a Memorandum of Understanding on Telecommunications, signed by Algeria’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Sid Ali Zerrouki, and Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, Paula Ingabire. This was paired with an additional MoU on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the digital economy, signifying the shared ambition to leapfrog into the future of technology-driven development.

A third Memorandum of Understanding on Investment Promotion was also inked, underscoring the urgency to boost cross-border economic activity and establish a more robust private sector dialogue. The deal was signed between Minister Zerrouki and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.

Further reinforcing the spirit of South-South cooperation, a critical Memorandum of Understanding in the Pharmaceutical Industry was sealed between Algeria’s National Agency of Pharmaceutical Products (ANPP) and the Rwandan Food and Drugs Authority. Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry Ouacim Kouidri and Minister Nduhungirehe co-signed the document, pledging to synchronize regulatory efforts and foster health sovereignty on the continent.

Vocational training was not left out of the strategic plan. An MoU on Professional Training was signed by Algeria’s Minister of Vocational Training and Education, Yacine El Mahdi Oualid, and his Rwandan counterpart. The accord is designed to encourage skill-building and workforce development, seen as a cornerstone for economic resilience in both nations.

In a move to bolster media collaboration, an Agreement on Communication was signed by Algeria’s Minister of Communication, Mohamed Meziane, and the Rwandan Foreign Minister. This was complemented by an Agreement on Agriculture and Livestock, co-signed by Algeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Youcef Cherfa, further reflecting the breadth of the Algerian-Rwandan cooperation blueprint.

On the educational front, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kamel Baddari, and the Rwandan Foreign Minister signed an Agreement on Higher Education, Scientific Research, Technological Development, and Innovation, alongside an Executive Programme for 2026–2029, signaling a long-term vision for academic collaboration and exchange.

Transport connectivity between the two nations also received a vital boost through an Air Transport Services Agreement, signed by Minister of Transport Saïd Sayoud and his Rwandan counterpart. This pact is anticipated to lay the groundwork for direct flight routes and improved mobility across the continent.

Justice and internal security were equally addressed. Algeria’s Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Lotfi Boudjemaa, signed an Agreement on Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters, while a Memorandum of Understanding in Police Cooperation was concluded between the Minister of the Interior, Brahim Merad, and the Rwandan Foreign Minister.

Significantly, the two countries reached an Agreement on the Mutual Exemption of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports. This document was signed by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and his Rwandan counterpart, facilitating smoother diplomatic exchanges and strengthening institutional trust.

These sweeping accords reflect a shared determination to transform Algerian-Rwandan relations into a model of pragmatic, African-led development, characterized by sovereignty, economic complementarity, and mutual respect. The agreements come against a backdrop of increased momentum for continental integration under the African Union’s flagship African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative.

This state visit is more than symbolic—it operationalizes a renewed continental axis: Algiers–Kigali. It signals the emergence of a diplomatic and economic bloc that is not only committed to African solutions for African problems but also ready to counter neocolonial dynamics with innovation, cooperation, and unity.

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