KIGALI — Rwanda has officially stepped forward with a bold offer: to host United Nations offices, agencies, and programmes currently under review for relocation.
In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente expressed Rwanda’s keen interest in becoming a long-term home for UN operations. The government says it is ready to partner in shaping the future of global governance.
“Rwanda stands ready to serve as a committed partner,” Ngirente wrote in the letter dated 15 May 2025. “We are pleased to formally express interest in hosting UN functions under consideration for relocation.”
At the heart of the pitch is Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, which the government says offers a rare blend of political stability, safety, and institutional efficiency. With direct air links to major cities across the region and beyond, Kigali is positioning itself as a hub for international diplomacy in Africa.
Rwanda is not just offering office space. The proposal includes what officials describe as a “full package” — office facilities, services, and legal privileges such as immunity and tax exemptions in line with UN requirements.
Ngirente noted that Rwanda’s offer extends beyond infrastructure. The country is also proposing a partnership to develop a long-term UN campus in the heart of Kigali, one that could serve as a new centre for international cooperation on the continent.
The letter invites a UN technical team to visit Kigali “at the earliest opportunity” to assess the country’s readiness and align on operational needs.
The offer comes amid the UN80 Initiative, a reform movement seeking to reshape how the United Nations operates globally by its 80th anniversary in 2025. As part of that effort, cost-saving and decentralisation of some UN offices are under discussion.
By stepping up, Rwanda is looking to boost its diplomatic profile and reinforce its reputation as a reliable international partner — a message it has carefully crafted in recent years.
The country’s leadership has been actively courting global institutions and events, hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2022 and increasingly being seen as a destination for international forums.
Critics and observers will no doubt look closely at the proposal. While Rwanda has received praise for its fast development and security, human rights groups have often raised concerns about political freedoms and press restrictions. These are issues that any potential relocation would need to weigh carefully.
For now, Kigali is making its case plainly: it’s stable, it’s efficient, and it’s open for business.
The final decision, however, will rest with UN leadership — and the member states that guide its future course.
