The Government of Rwanda on Thursday, October 9, held its first-ever political consultations with the Federative Republic of Brazil, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that marked a new chapter in the growing relations between the two nations.

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The MoU on political consultations was signed by Clementine Mukeka, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Irene Vida Gala, the Ambassador of Brazil to Rwanda.

According to a statement from the ministry, the agreement represents "an important step in strengthening diplomatic ties [and] opens a new phase of cooperation” with the largest country in South America.

The signing ceremony took place in Kigali during the inaugural political consultations co-chaired by PS Mukeka and Amb. Carlos Duarte, the Secretary for Africa and the Middle East at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Discussions during the consultations focused on assessing existing areas of cooperation and exploring new avenues for partnership between the two countries.

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In her remarks, Mukeka said the MoU signifies a milestone in bilateral relations, as it formalizes and deepens ongoing dialogue between Rwanda and Brazil.

Rwanda and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1981, with cooperation steadily expanding particularly after the establishment of resident embassies in Kigali and Brasília in 2023.

This development has fostered closer political dialogue and strengthened collaboration in various sectors, including education, science and technology, trade and investment, agriculture, infrastructure, and health.