Uzbekistan Ties with Rwanda Reach 167 Partners

**TL;DR:** Uzbekistan announced diplomatic relations with Rwanda, raising its total partner count to 167. The move deepens its outreach in Africa.

## Context Recently, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe in Tashkent. They signed a Joint Communiqué, a formal agreement establishing diplomatic relations, and a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets up regular political consultations. The ceremony marked the first official link between the two countries.

## Key Facts Uzbekistan now maintains diplomatic ties with 167 states, up from 165 before the Rwanda agreement. The Joint Communiqué outlines cooperation in trade, education, and security. Officials said the step is important for expanding Uzbekistan’s engagement with African countries and strengthening its international relations.

## What It Means The new treaty gives Uzbek businesses a foothold in East Africa’s growing markets. It also provides Rwanda a partner in Central Asia for potential infrastructure and agricultural projects. Both governments plan to convene a political consultation mechanism within the next year to track progress.