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At the heart of this collaboration is the launch of the second edition of Swing Your Way to Greatness, NCBA’s flagship annual golf tournament, now expanding to include Rwanda’s first-ever Junior Golf Series.

With over 80 young golfers expected to participate, and a shared commitment to plant 10,000 trees, this is more than a golf event — it’s a movement. A movement to grow the game, grow the community, and grow a greener future for all.

NCBA Group’s presence in golf is now well known across East Africa. Through Swing Your Way to Greatness, the bank has transformed golf from an elite sport into a regional platform for inclusion, business connection, and community growth.

In Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the bank has helped thousands engage with the sport — and now in Rwanda, the partnership with Kigali Golf Resort is extending this impact to new audiences, particularly women and young people.

But sport is just the start. The MoU signed today also reinforces both institutions’ commitment to environmental stewardship and social equity. Together, NCBA and KGRV are investing in long-term solutions that uplift the communities surrounding the course.

As part of a tangible pledge, NCBA and Kigali Golf Resort are committing to plant over 10,000 trees around the course and beyond. Already, 3,000 trees are in the ground. Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of planting the remaining 7,000, a local step toward an ambitious regional goal: NCBA Group’s commitment to grow 10 million trees by 2030 across East Africa.

'Swing Your Way to Greatness is about more than golf,' says Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Group. 'It’s a symbol of our purpose as a bank. We are here to change the story — to make every swing, every tree, every opportunity count. Rwanda is showing how this vision comes to life through sport, sustainability, and service to community.'

This local impact aligns with the bank’s broader Change the Story agenda — a regional sustainability blueprint that is now taking root, quite literally, in Kigali.

More Than a Game: A Partnership Built on Purpose

'We’re thrilled to support the Junior Golf Series and to continue building real value in our community. With NCBA, we’ve already provided health insurance to over 3,000 residents around the course — and we are just getting started,' says Gaston Karemera, CEO of Kigali Golf Resort & Villas.

The tree-planting and health initiatives are just two pillars of NCBA Group’s sweeping 'Change the Story' ESG strategy. Across the region, the bank is activating a number of bold sustainability targets, including:

• Planting 10 million trees by 2030 through strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders.

• Mobilizing KES 30 billion (approx. USD 230 million) in green and sustainable financing to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

• Investing KES 100 million annually in community projects focused on health, education, and entrepreneurship.

• Deploying electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across East Africa.

• Eliminating single-use plastics and ensuring 100% waste recycling by 2030.

• Greening the supply chain and shifting all corporate gifting to sustainable products.

In Rwanda, these commitments are already underway — and the partnership with Kigali Golf Resort is just one of a series of other partnerships aiming to turn this intention into action.

'We don’t believe in passive commitments,' Toroitich adds. 'We believe in real action, in local partnerships, and in long-term results. That’s what 'Change the Story' means.

Last year marked the successful debut of the NCBA Rwanda Golf Series, firmly positioning NCBA as a driving force behind the growth of golf in Rwanda. The inaugural edition featured two major tournaments that brought together over 200 golfers, from seasoned professionals to rising local talent.

The competition culminated in a thrilling finale at the Kigali Golf Resort, where the top three Rwandan players earned the opportunity to represent the country at the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi — a regional event featuring elite players from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Among the standout moments of last year was the success of Paul Ntaganda, Alphonsine Murekatete, and Bethlehem Umuzabibu who delivered spectacular performances to win top honors, earning not just trophies but also national pride. Their participation in the regional finale placed Rwanda firmly on the East African golf map and inspired a new wave of young and aspiring golfers across the country.

As the second edition of Swing Your Way to Greatness tees off, there’s more on the line than just trophies and titles. There’s a new generation watching. And, there’s a bank — NCBA — doubling down on its belief that business can be a force for good. One thing is clear: this isn’t just about playing the game — it’s about changing the story.

IGIHE

The commitment was reiterated on May 13, 2025, as the RUGC staff visited the Bisesero Genocide Memorial, one of four memorial sites recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to the extraordinary resistance shown by the Tutsi community there during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

During the visit, they were taken through the divisive policies introduced by Belgian colonialists, which led to the persecution and displacement of Tutsis across Rwanda beginning in 1959.

Aaron Gakoko, a genocide survivor from Bisesero, recounted his experience, revealing that the Tutsi in the region began resisting as early as 1959.

He shared how, in 1994, he personally disarmed three gendarmes and a military officer holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Despite the trauma they endured, Gakoko emphasized that survivors now live peacefully alongside those who once targeted them and even cooperate in daily activities.

He said, 'It pains us that those who were killed are not here to witness how we, the survivors of Bisesero, have rebuilt our lives.'

By the end of April 1994, the Tutsi in Bisesero had withstood waves of attacks by Interahamwe militias.

As a result, on May 3, 1994, a so-called 'security meeting' was held where a decision was made to deploy more soldiers and Interahamwemilitia to eliminate the Tutsi in Bisesero.

This led to massive, organized assaults, including the particularly deadly attack on May 13, 1994, in which over 30,000 Tutsis were massacred in a single day.

Vedaste Ngarambe, President of the Karongi District Council and head of IBUKA (the umbrella association of Genocide survivor organizations) in the district, commended the RUGC staff for visiting the memorial, noting the importance of youth involvement.

He said, 'We urge you to help us fight against genocide ideology and denial. Bisesero is unique because the Tutsi here chose to resist the Interahamwe militias together. Their guiding principle was, 'It is better to die fighting than to die fleeing.’'

The CEO of RUGC Gaston Gasore highlighted how those who wanted Rwanda to vanish from the world map sowed hatred among Rwandans—people who once shared food, intermarried, and lived as one. He stressed that the country is now striving to reverse that painful history.

'Our tragic past is teaching us the value of unity,' Gasore said. 'We believe that the values we’ve learned here will help us, as we still face a long journey. Genocide ideology remains present among both older generations and the youth. That’s why we, as young people, must rise up and use social media platforms to fight it.'

Out of over 60,000 Tutsis who lived in Bisesero before the genocide, only 1,300 survived. These survivors later rebuilt their lives, and repopulated the area. Today, the Bisesero Genocide Memorial is the final resting place of more than 50,000 genocide victims.

Staff members of Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course (RUGC), the company managing the Kigali Golf Course, have pledged to uphold the resilience demonstrated by the people of Bisesero and to take an active role in combating genocide ideology.

During the visit, the staff members were taken through the divisive policies introduced by Belgian colonialists, which led to the persecution and displacement of Tutsis across Rwanda beginning in 1959.

Staff members of Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course paid homage to genocide victims laid to rest at Bisesero Genocide Memorial.

Aaron Gakoko, a genocide survivor from Bisesero, recounted his experience, revealing that the Tutsi in the region began resisting as early as 1959.

The CEO of RUGC Gaston Gasore highlighted the country is now striving to reverse its painful history.

IGIHE

Rwanda Central Bank Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye made the revelation during a press conference on Thursday, May 15, following a recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

Addressing growing interest in gold among central banks in the East African Community (EAC) region, Governor Hakuziyaremye said Rwanda’s central bank conducted a detailed study on incorporating gold as an additional reserve asset.

The move follows a trend observed by the EAC Central Bank Monetary Affairs Committee, which noted several regional central banks considering gold to diversify and strengthen their reserves.

'Given gold’s ability to counter shocks in the financial market and serve as a hedge against external uncertainties, we have decided to explore it as a new asset class,' Governor Hakuziyaremye explained.

The central bank boss emphasised that capital preservation, liquidity, and reasonable returns remain the primary objectives for the central bank’s foreign reserves investments.

'The good news is that gold meets these criteria at this time, which makes our consideration positive,' she said.

The central bank has already secured board approval to include gold investments in its portfolio.

However, Governor Hakuziyaremye highlighted that gold is a new asset for the bank, and further updates on acquisition volumes and expected returns will be communicated by the end of the current financial year.

'This is a learning process, and as we continue benchmarking with our peers, we plan to start adding gold to our reserves from July 2025,' she said.

Meanwhile, the bank maintained the lending rate at 6.5 percent, a level Governor Soraya noted is aimed at keeping inflation within the targeted 2 to 8 percent range.

Commenting on the economic outlook, she said headline inflation rose to 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, up from 5.2 percent in the previous quarter, largely driven by increases in core and fresh food prices. Core inflation climbed to 6.1 percent, while fresh food inflation surged to 11.2 percent, mainly due to a base effect from unusually low prices in early 2024 and rising meat prices.

Despite the uptick, inflation remains within the medium-term target range and is expected to average 6.5 percent in 2025 before easing to 3.9 percent in 2026.

'Inflationary risks remain, particularly from global geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies,' the central bank governor warned, but emphasized that the current rate should continue to anchor inflation expectations.

The recent MPC meeting also noted Rwanda’s ongoing economic resilience, with the Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) registering a 9.3 percent year-on-year increase in Q1 2025, supported by robust industrial and services performance. The economy grew by an impressive 8.9 percent in 2024, buoyed by a rebound in agriculture and strong domestic demand.

However, Rwanda’s trade deficit widened by 10.8 percent in Q1 2025, as merchandise exports fell by 3.0 percent—mainly due to declining re-exports—while imports rose 5.8 percent, driven by increased demand for machinery and raw materials. This put pressure on the Rwandan franc, which depreciated by 2.46 percent against the U.S. dollar by the end of April.

The National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) announced on Thursday, May 15, 2025, plans to start investing in gold as part of its foreign exchange reserves portfolio beginning in July 2025.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

We will not comment on the latter, even though Ukraine wholeheartedly wishes every success to the ongoing peace process involving several parties and facilitators. And of course, we will not react to any of the allegations in the above manipulative article, none of which have anything to do with reality. And it is difficult not to notice the striking similarities between all its deceptions and the lies spread by the Russian propaganda machine, aimed at undermining the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people against Russia’s unprovoked aggression — a barbaric crime and fatal blunder that have become the greatest in its history.

Yet, to prevent Rwandan readers from being misled by that article, we feel compelled to recall several well-established facts about Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea — a sovereign part of Ukraine — and escalated on 24 February 2022 into a full-scale invasion.

By launching its aggression against Ukraine, Russia has blatantly violated all most fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter.

Any violation of a sovereign state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a grave affront to international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances. Yet, even if one looks at the justifications for that aggression put forward by Russia — such as preventing NATO expansion or protecting the Russian-speaking population in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine — it is easy to understand that these justifications are totally false.

When Finland and Sweden joined the North Atlantic Alliance in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Russia did not move a single platoon to prevent NATO expansion. On the contrary, it relocated the bulk of its troops stationed near those new NATO member states to the front line in Ukraine.

Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine have never faced discrimination due to their language or for any other reason. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions enjoyed a peaceful life before Russia decided to ‘protect’ them. Now, they are largely depopulated, completely in ruins, with no hope for a return to normal life in sight.

The real ‘root cause’ of Russia’s aggression is Ukraine itself — its independence, its determination to shape its own future, and its rejection of its former colonial masters in the Kremlin. The overwhelming majority of members of the international community fully understand what is at stake in this war — including African countries, which themselves had to fight for freedom and independence. The entire world applauds the Ukrainian people’s heroic resistance under the leadership of President Zelenskyy.

Ukraine simply has no other choice than to defend itself against the brutal invader. But of course, no one strives more for peace than Ukraine itself. Ukraine has always tried to find a diplomatic way of achieving peace. As far back as 2022, President Zelenskyy presented 10-point Peace Formula to restore a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, based on respect to the international law and the UN Charter.

Ukraine has also fully embraced and supported the U.S. Administration’s recent peace efforts, including its proposal for a thirty-day ceasefire starting on May 12, 2025, as a first step toward restoring peace.

Both Ukraine and the international community continue to wait for Russia to reciprocate.

This bloodiest war in Europe since World War II has already caused immense bloodshed and tremendous suffering in Ukraine, while also having a significant negative impact on many regions of the world, including Africa. It appears that only Russia is interested in continuing it.

We trust that Rwandan readers can judge for themselves whether there are any similarities between this war and the conflict in the Great Lakes region. However, it remains crucial not to encourage the spread of falsehoods that directly or indirectly support Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine.

The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Rwanda

Ukraine Embassy in Rwanda

A hopeful development took place on April 25, 2025, when Rwanda and the DRC—facilitated by the United States—signed a framework agreement aimed at restoring peace in the region.

This seemed to signal a potential end to the DRC’s recurring pattern of blaming Rwanda for its internal problems, a narrative that had produced no real solutions or peace for the region.

Optimism grew further when the U.S. announced that both Rwanda and the DRC would sign a peace agreement in Washington D.C. in June 2025, an accord expected to spark renewed development cooperation among the three countries.

In the DRC’s official communication channels, key officials like Minister Kayikwamba and Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya had noticeably toned down their rhetoric against Rwanda, particularly after both sides agreed in April to avoid any form of provocation.

However, after a long silence, Minister Kayikwamba recently resurfaced in an interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle, once again accusing Rwanda of destabilizing eastern DRC and of mistreating UN peacekeepers from MONUSCO.

'We have a very large peacekeeping mission, but one of our neighboring countries — namely Rwanda — is one of the biggest contributors to peacekeeping operations. At the same time, this country violates our territorial integrity and has also been linked to violence against peacekeepers,' she said.

When asked whether the DRC recognizes Rwanda’s security concerns, Kayikwamba responded dismissively: 'Are the tens of thousands of people who have died Congolese or Rwandan? They are Congolese. Are the women who have been raped Congolese or Rwandan? They are Congolese,' she said.

The Rwandan government has consistently rejected these allegations, maintaining that the DRC is using Rwanda as a scapegoat to distract the international community from the root causes of its insecurity—namely poor governance and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese citizens.

While the DRC accuses Rwanda of breaching its sovereignty, Rwanda counters that the DRC harbors and supports the FDLR, a terrorist group committed to destabilizing Rwanda.

Rwanda has also reminded the world of statements by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, in which he openly expressed a desire to overthrow the Rwandan government.

As a result, Rwanda has strengthened its border security. These measures enabled the country to defend itself against attacks launched by FARDC forces on January 27—as the M23/AFC coalition took control of Goma.

These attacks killed 16 civilians in Rwanda’s Rubavu District, injured 161 others, and damaged 200 homes.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, recently confirmed that both Rwanda and the DRC had submitted a preliminary peace agreement to the U.S., which is currently under review by experts.

He added that he and Minister Kayikwamba are scheduled to return to Washington D.C. in the third week of May 2025 to finalize the agreement before the official signing.

When asked whether she believes the U.S. can successfully mediate the conflict, given her accusations against Rwanda, Kayikwamba said the DRC agreed to attend the Washington D.C. talks because the Luanda Process had laid the groundwork for bilateral peace.

She explained that if the mediating partners are truly honest and impartial, and are willing to contribute to peace, then the DRC is ready to play its part.

However, she did not specify whether the DRC is committed to fulfilling its own obligations, such as dismantling the FDLR.

Despite recent diplomatic efforts to mend fractured ties, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, has reignited hostile rhetoric against Rwanda.

IGIHE

The Terminator hitmaker arrived in Kigali on Wednesday night, May 14, and is set to headline the BAL halftime show during the opening clash between APR Basketball Club and Nairobi City Thunder at BK Arena on Saturday, May 17.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, King Promise reflected on his first visit to Rwanda during the Qatar-Africa Business Forum in November 2023, where he also performed.

The Terminator hitmaker arrived in Kigali on Wednesday night, May 14, 2025.

This time, the Afrobeats star is eager to soak in more of Kigali’s culture and connect with the local music scene.

'I had a good time. I went to see the gorillas, ate at some nice restaurants, met amazing people, and performed,' he recalled. 'This time I’m looking forward to doing even more… especially the BAL experience and performing for you guys at BK Arena. That should be sick.'

King Promise will headline the BAL halftime show during the opening clash between APR Basketball Club and Nairobi City Thunder at BK Arena on Saturday, May 17.

The singer, whose continental hits Tokyo (with Wizkid) and Terminator have made waves in East Africa, noted the growing support from Rwandan fans and teased new collaborative projects with African acts, including Element.

'I’ve worked with Rayvanny, Harmonize, Joshua Baraka, and even Sauti Sol in Kenya,' he revealed. 'I met Element in Tanzania, and we said we’d link up when I came here. Hopefully, something comes out of that. I’m down for collaborations.'

King Promise also hinted at a potential collaboration with Rwandan super-producer Element.

Element Eleéeh, born Fred Robinson Mugisha, is famed for producing hit songs for both local and international artists, including Bruce Melodie and The Ben.

Though King Promise admitted he’s still getting familiar with Rwandan music, he expressed keen interest in discovering local talent.

'There’s so much more across our borders,' he said. 'We should push our craft and collaborate more. The vibe and energy in music—that’s what connects us.'

During the Nile Conference, King Promise will share the stage with Rwandan stars Ariel Wayz, Kivumbi King, and emerging Kigali rapper Kid, further strengthening the bridge between West and East African music scenes.

The BAL Nile Conference sees APR Basketball Club competing for one of two playoff spots, alongside Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya), Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya), and Made In Ball Basketball (South Africa). The playoffs are scheduled for June in Pretoria, South Africa.

Launched in 2019 through a partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Basketball Africa League continues to merge elite sports and entertainment, drawing international stars like King Promise to its growing platform.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), through its tourism initiative Visit Rwanda, is a Founding and Host Partner of the BAL, adding to Rwanda’s growing reputation as a hub for sports and entertainment on the continent.

Watch the full video interview below.

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The award recognises Africa Re’s significant strides in expanding its footprint across the continent and positioning itself as a global player in the reinsurance sector.

Organised by the Africa CEO Forum, the Pan-African Champion Award is presented to an African company that has most increased its presence across the continent while implementing a consistent and coherent regional growth strategy.

Eligible companies must operate in more than five African countries and record annual revenues of at least €50 million.

In 2024, the award was bestowed upon the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) for its instrumental role in developing infrastructure and industrial value chains throughout Africa.

In a statement following Africa Re’s victory, Dr. Corneille Karekezi, Group Managing Director of the corporation, welcomed the recognition as a reflection of its achievements over the past year.

'I thank God for this continental recognition, which comes on top of an exceptional 2024 year in all performance metrics. We are the largest and most financially rated reinsurance company in Africa and the Middle East. With 31% of our 2024 turnover ($1.2 billion) coming from outside Africa, we export African excellence in overseas markets such as China, the Middle East, Brazil, Israel, and India,” Dr. Karekezi said.

Africa Re’s cross-border operations and growing share of business from international markets were key factors in its selection. The company’s performance in 2024 and continued expansion have strengthened its position as a driver of African excellence in global financial services.

The Africa CEO Forum Awards, organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Forvis Mazars, celebrate leadership, innovation, and excellence within Africa’s private sector.

In addition to Africa Re’s recognition, this year’s awards honoured several other standout performers. Danone received the Local Impact Champion award for its contributions to community development and sustainability, while Rawbank was named Family Business of the Year, reflecting its strong governance and generational leadership.

The Gender Leader award went to Schneider Electric, recognising its commitment to gender equity in the workplace. Nala, a fintech company driving digital disruption, earned a place in the Disrupters Club.

Finally, Idrissa Nassa, CEO of Coris Bank, was honoured as CEO of the Year for his transformative leadership in the banking sector.

The awards ceremony is a key feature of the Africa CEO Forum, which gathers more than 2,000 business leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss strategies for driving economic transformation across the continent.

The next edition of the annual Africa CEO Forum will be held in Kigali.

The African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) was named Pan-African Champion at the 2025 Africa CEO Forum Awards held on Monday night in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The award recognises Africa Re’s significant strides in expanding its footprint across the continent and positioning itself as a global player in the reinsurance sector.

The Africa CEO Forum Awards, organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Forvis Mazars, celebrate leadership, innovation, and excellence within Africa’s private sector.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Speaking on BFMTV, Barrot said, “Our response is immediate, it is firm.”

Algeria summoned the French charge d’affaires in Algiers on Sunday and demanded the immediate expulsion of several French embassy employees over “serious breaches” of diplomatic protocol, Algerian media reported.

The move follows what Algerian authorities called “serious and repeated violations” by the French side, including the appointment of diplomatic and consular staff without prior notification or formal accreditation, in violation of international norms and bilateral agreements.

The diplomatic rift between Algiers and Paris has deepened in recent months due to disagreements over immigration issues and policies, and historical grievances, among others.

In April, Algeria ordered the removal of 12 French embassy employees following the detention of an Algerian consular officer in France — a move that prompted reciprocal action from Paris.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Wednesday that France is set to expel additional Algerian diplomats in a reciprocal move.

Xinhua

The flight departed from Ramon Airport in Israel, transiting through the Karam Abu Salem crossing, and transported 101 injured individuals, accompanied by 87 family members.

To date, 2,630 patients and their relatives have arrived in the UAE—an effort that reflects the country’s commitment to delivering essential medical care to Palestinians.

Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organisations and Vice Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, emphasized that the initiative reflects the UAE’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people and its solidarity with Gaza during the ongoing crisis.

“The UAE humanitarian initiatives contribute to alleviating the disastrous impacts endured by residents of the Strip, particularly children, women, and the elderly,' he noted.

Al Shamsi added, 'During this critical time, the UAE will spare no effort to extend help to the Palestinians and launch initiatives for their aid whether by land, sea, or air. We will continue to closely work — through our leading and pioneering role — with the United Nations and our international partners to intensify the necessary efforts to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and ensure the urgent, safe, unhindered, and sustainable delivery of aid at a wide scale and through all possible means.'

The UAE remains one of the leading countries in providing aid to the people of Gaza. Since the onset of the crisis in October 2023, the country has delivered more than 40% of the total aid reaching the region.

Al Shamsi reaffirmed that the UAE’s ongoing medical evacuation efforts underscore the nation’s dedication to offering advanced healthcare to injured Palestinians and contributing meaningfully to broader humanitarian relief efforts in these critical times.

He also reiterated the UAE’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to support the people of Gaza amid these challenging conditions.

Since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE has made significant strides in providing high-level healthcare to those affected, including services at its field hospital in southern Gaza and through a hospital ship anchored at Al-Arish Port.

In addition, the UAE has mounted a large-scale relief response for the Palestinian people, delivering over 65,000 tonnes of food, medical supplies, and other essential aid.

IGIHE

The deal, valued at $96 billion according to the White House, includes Boeing’s 777X and 787 Dreamliner models powered by GE Aerospace engines.

The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony in Doha attended by Trump, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, and Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer.

Trump, who is on a regional tour of Gulf states, hailed the deal as 'the largest jet order in Boeing’s history.'

While the exact breakdown of the aircraft types and the number of firm versus optional orders remains unclear, the deal represents a significant commitment from Qatar Airways, which already operates one of the world’s largest fleets of Boeing widebody jets.

Qatar Airways has continued to expand its global footprint in recent years. In October 2021, the airline signed a codeshare agreement with RwandAir, deepening its presence in Africa and strengthening connectivity between Kigali and global destinations.

The move is also a blow to rival Airbus, whose A350 model has struggled in the Gulf’s hot climate, with ongoing maintenance issues related to Rolls-Royce engines.

Qatar opted for GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines for the 787s and the GE9X for the 777X, the only engine currently certified for that aircraft. GE Aerospace described the deal as its largest-ever widebody engine agreement.

The timing of the announcement highlights the strategic importance of the deal for both Trump and Boeing. For Trump, it adds to a series of economic announcements linked to his Gulf tour, which also included trade agreements with Saudi Arabia.

For Boeing, the order comes at a time when the company is working to recover from significant setbacks, including manufacturing delays, safety concerns, and a lengthy strike by workers that affected output.

The Qatar Airways deal is also expected to support an estimated 154,000 U.S. jobs annually throughout the production cycle, according to the White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg next to Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ahead of a state dinner at Lusail Palace in Lusail, Qatar, May 14, 2025.

The Boeing 777X is the latest series of the long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jetliners in the Boeing 777 family from Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

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