Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni took part in an unusual exercise activity when, on the evening of September 16, 2026, they went for a walk in the Nyarutarama area of Kigali City.
The two leaders used the route known as the Nyarutarama Green Carpet, an area designated for outdoor sports activities where residents can walk, run and engage in other exercises in an easy and safe environment.
Village Urugwiro reported that President Kagame and President Wadagni shared this walk in the sports area as part of engaging in ordinary activities that help people maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This took place after talks between President Kagame and Wadagni at Village Urugwiro, where they discussed ways to further strengthen and expand relations and cooperation between Rwanda and Benin.
President Wadagni is in Rwanda on a two-day official visit. The visit aims to further promote cooperation between the two countries in various sectors.
Rwanda and Benin already cooperate in areas including trade and investment, technology, agriculture, urban planning, public service reforms and security.
In 2023, when President Kagame visited Benin, the two countries signed 10 agreements aimed at promoting their cooperation. These included agreements related to preventing double taxation.
Wadagni’s visit to Rwanda is among his first visits since he became President of Benin. He was elected to lead the country on April 12, 2026, winning the election with more than 94% of the votes.
It was on May 24, 2026, that he was sworn in as President of Benin, succeeding Patrice Talon, who had completed the two terms provided for by the Constitution.
Before becoming President, Wadagni had spent 10 years as Benin’s Minister of Finance and Economy. He is now leading the country for a seven-year term.
Although this is his first visit to Rwanda as Head of State, Wadagni was already familiar with the country. In September 2023, while still serving as Minister of Finance and Economy, he came to Rwanda as a special envoy of President Patrice Talon.
BARAKA Esther
Rwandatribune.rw
