Gulf carrier, Qatar Airways recently acquired 49% stake in Rwanda’s national carrier, Rwand Air as it prepares to deepen its African operation in the aviation industry.
The move might is the fruition of bilateral talks held between both countries’ leaders last year in Kigali.
According to atqnews.com, the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar arrived in Kigali late last year to meet President Kagame for bilateral talks.
The two leaders had a Tête-à-Tête and later witnessed the signing of four agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism and business events and aviation travel and logistics and ending the day with a State Dinner.
The Amir was welcomed by President Paul Kagame at Kigali International Airport.
The Gulf airline is investing in Rwandair after identifying Africa as a market with significant potential, Akbar Al Baker, its chief executive officer, said in a briefing at the CAPA Qatar Aviation conference on Wednesday. The holding being negotiated will be it’s first in the continent after a string of deals elsewhere.
Qatar Airways agreed in December to acquire a 60% stake in Rwanda’s new Bugesera International Airport, located south of the capital Kigali, where an existing hub is at full capacity. As part of the deal, the Gulf carrier will help build and run the $1.3 billion facility.