President Paul Kagame has arrived in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place from November 1 to 4, 2026.
The 28th edition of the summit brings together 30 heads of state and government under the theme, “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
President Kagame is attending the meeting alongside other leaders, including Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who is hosting the summit, King Charles III of the United Kingdom, Queen Camilla, and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
The summit has also attracted ministers, private sector representatives, civil society organisations and young people.
Trade and investment at the centre of discussions
During the meeting, leaders are expected to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation among Commonwealth member states and their partners to promote trade and increase investment that contributes to economic development.
The programme includes high-level discussions, various forums, a leaders’ retreat and engagements with private sector representatives.
President Kagame is expected to participate in a high-level discussion alongside Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo.
The discussion will focus on how the Commonwealth can make better use of its potential to build a prosperous future for people across its member states.
It will take place during the opening of the forums and other activities organised on the sidelines of the summit.
President Kagame will also attend the official opening ceremony of CHOGM 2026, which will bring together the heads of state and government participating in the meeting.
Antigua and Barbuda marks 45 years of independence
As part of his visit, President Kagame is also expected to attend a ceremonial parade marking the 45th anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda’s independence.
The country gained independence from Britain on November 1, 1981.
About CHOGM
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is held every two years and serves as a major platform for decisions affecting the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth.
The member states are home to approximately 2.7 billion people, representing about one-third of the world’s population.
The first CHOGM was held in Singapore in 1971, replacing earlier meetings of prime ministers from countries with historical ties to Britain.
Since then, the meetings have been hosted by different Commonwealth member states to discuss shared challenges, including economic development, security, democracy, human rights, climate change and sustainable development.
Rwanda joined the Commonwealth on November 29, 2009, becoming one of the few member states that were never colonised by Britain.
In 2022, Rwanda hosted CHOGM in Kigali from June 20 to 25. President Kagame served as Commonwealth Chair-in-Office until October 2024, when leadership was handed over to Samoa.
The 2024 summit was held in Apia, Samoa, before Antigua and Barbuda took over as host in 2026.
The current meeting comes four years after Rwanda hosted CHOGM in Kigali, where leaders discussed economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, innovation and strengthening partnerships.
