Senior military officials from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) have convened in Karagwe District for the 15th Joint Border Commanders’ Meeting aimed at enhancing border security and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The three-day meeting, running from March 24 to 26, 2026, brings together Rwanda’s 5th Division and Tanzania’s 202nd Brigade, both operating in areas along the shared border between Rwanda and Tanzania.
The RDF delegation is led by Ruki Karusisi, Commander of the 5th Division, while the TPDF team is headed by Gabriel Elias Kwiligwa, Commander of the 202nd Brigade.
The two forces have maintained long-standing cooperation, particularly in combating cross-border crimes through intelligence sharing and joint coordination.
Beyond security, Rwanda and Tanzania maintain strong economic ties. Rwanda relies heavily on the Port of Dar es Salaam for imports, especially petroleum products. On average, Rwanda imports around 60 million liters of fuel per month, much of it routed through Tanzania.
Trade between the two countries continues to grow. In the fourth quarter of 2023, Rwanda’s imports from Tanzania were valued at over $228 million, second only to imports from China.
Additionally, in November 2025, Rwanda and Tanzania signed cooperation agreements to boost agricultural development, further reinforcing their partnership across multiple sectors.