Qatar’s newly appointed ambassador to Rwanda, Mansour bin Ali Fahad Al-Shahwani Al-Hajri, on Monday, December 15, presented copies of his letters of credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.

ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Kagame gifts Inyambo cows to Emir of Qatar

Al-Hajri replaces Misfer bin Faisal Al-Shahwani, who passed away in mid-2024. The late envoy had served in the role since 2021, when Qatar opened its embassy in Rwanda.

The new ambassador is a public administration and military professional with experience across both security and diplomatic fields. He has previously served as an officer in the Amiri Guard, an elite military unit in Qatar, and as First Secretary and Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Qatar in Malaysia. He has also held diplomatic postings in Ethiopia and China.

ALSO READ: Kagame, Emir of Qatar highlight deepening ties after Kigali visit

Al-Hajri holds a degree in public administration and a master’s degree in defence and security studies.

Bilateral relations between Rwanda and Qatar continue to deepen, particularly in aviation, security, investment and hospitality. Earlier this year, the Qatari government approved a draft agreement on a mutual visa waiver, granting visa-free entry to holders of Rwandan ordinary passports in a move aimed at boosting tourism.

One of the flagship areas of cooperation is the proposed Bugesera International Airport, currently under construction. The project is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s ambitions to become a regional transport and logistics hub.

Qatar Airways has invested in the $2 billion airport project and will hold a 60 per cent stake. The airport, scheduled for completion in 2028, will feature a 130,000-square-metre main terminal with an initial capacity of eight million passengers annually, projected to rise to over 14 million in the coming decades, according to developers.