RDF Pledges Partnership with Ethiopian Army on AI and Advanced Technologies

The Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) leadership held high-level talks with the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence on March 2, 2026, to explore cooperation in military and technological areas, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The RDF delegation, led by Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, RDF Spokesperson, was in Ethiopia to join celebrations marking the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Adwa, a historic victory in 1896 where Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian army, preserving the country’s independence during the reign of Emperor Menelik II. The celebrations ran from February 28 to March 1, 2026. Following the commemorations, the RDF leaders were received by Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense, Eng. Aisha Muhammed, where they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral military cooperation, particularly in intelligent and advanced technologies. The RDF emphasized on social media that the discussions aimed to deepen existing collaboration in the military sector and expand it to emerging fields such as AI. Rwanda and Ethiopia have a history of cooperation spanning more than 20 years, including training of soldiers and police forces, as well as collaboration in security, agriculture, trade, and education. In March 2025, a military cooperation agreement was signed during a visit by the Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Armed Forces, Gen. Mubarakh Muganga, formalizing joint efforts. In addition to defense cooperation, both countries recently signed agreements on air travel services, allowing RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines to operate smoothly between their nations, further strengthening bilateral relations.