Rwanda Cooperation welcomes a high-level delegation from the Qatar Leadership Centre (QLC), led by Mr. Khalid Abdulhameed A J Al-Mudahka, Director of Administration and Finance at QLC, for an interactive session on Rwanda’s governance and development journey.

The Qatar Leadership Centre, established in 2008, is a national institution that provides advanced training in leadership, governance, policy, and innovation. The visit is part of a study tour to Rwanda from 24–30 August 2025, focusing on leadership, governance, economic development, and innovation.

Presenting Rwanda’s transformational journey, Dr. Willy Mugenzi, Chief Operations Officer, Rwanda Cooperation highlighted to delegates:

• Rwanda’s operating context immediately after 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi;
• Rwanda’s development progress, including GDP growth, medical insurance coverage, poverty reduction strategies and the rationale for anchoring Rwanda’s development path on culture;
• The country’s zero tolerance to corruption policy as founded on accountable governance. How zero-tolerance to corruption triggered multi-dimensional positive changes;
• Rwanda’s strategic choices of Unity, Accountability, and Thinking Big.

Delegates engaged with questions on community engagement, citizens’ trust in government, Rwanda’s post-genocide education reforms and youth-led development.
Rwanda Cooperation shared with delegates how institutional frameworks such youth and women councils, and civic education initiatives like National Youth Workshops (Itorero) fostered unity, resilience, and civic participation.
“Rwandans, including youth prioritize the Agaciro– value of self-worth. This has significantly reduced youth dependency on government for sustainability,” Dr. Mugenzi shared on question relating what is done to mitigate youth’s over-reliance on government and sustainability issues.

Learning from Rwanda’s Institutions

Throughout their study visit in Rwanda, the delegation of 31 will engage with a variety of national institutions to gain deeper insights into the country’s transformation journey including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to explore Rwanda’s foreign policy.

Qatar delegates are interested in exploring Rwanda’s zero tolerance to Corruption and its corresponding positive effects on development outcomes after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The delegation will also explore Rwanda’s growing financial ecosystem through engagements with the National Bank of Rwanda and the Kigali International Financial Centre. The program further includes exchanges with the Ministry of Infrastructure on the Bugesera International Airport project developed with Qatar Airways, and with the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement on reconciliation and nation-building efforts, among others.

Exploring Collaboration

The discussions explored possible areas of collaboration between Rwanda Cooperation and Qatar Leadership Center, particularly in training programs on leadership, good governance, and anti-corruption strategies.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Rwanda – Qatar knowledge exchanges reflect the growing partnership between Rwanda and Qatar. The ties between Rwanda and Qatar is steadily deepening as evidenced by key diplomatic, economic and inter-trade milestones.

One female delegate applauded Rwanda’s National Youth orientation program similar to Qatar’s National Youth Community Service.

This study visit by Qatar Leadership Center follows the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies delegation in May 2023.