Rwanda has confirmed that it is holding preliminary discussions with several European Union countries over a possible migration cooperation agreement that could involve the establishment of migrant return hubs in the East African country.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told AFP that Kigali had held initial discussions with some European governments on closer cooperation over migration. She later confirmed in a local radio interview that the talks were continuing, but stressed that no agreement had been reached.
“Nothing has been decided,” Makolo said, emphasising that the discussions were still at an early stage.
According to Makolo, the talks are focused largely on Rwanda’s experience and approach to migration management rather than a finalized agreement to receive migrants from Europe.
She said one concept being discussed was the creation of an “emergency transit mechanism” that could provide temporary accommodation for families who are stranded, have nowhere else to go or face danger in their current circumstances.
Under such an arrangement, families could stay temporarily in Rwanda while preparing to return to their countries of origin or waiting for resettlement in another country as refugees.
The confirmation comes amid a wider European debate over the creation of migrant “return hubs” outside the EU. In June, EU officials approved the principle of allowing member states to send certain migrants who have exhausted their legal options to third countries where they could be accommodated while arrangements are made for their eventual return.
The proposed centres would not be operated directly by the European Union. Instead, individual EU member states would establish and manage facilities in countries outside the bloc under bilateral or multilateral arrangements.
Italy, Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands have all expressed interest in developing such arrangements and have reportedly held discussions with potential host countries.
The proposed return hubs are intended primarily for migrants who have no legal right to remain in the European Union but cannot immediately be returned to their countries of origin. The system is expected to involve safeguards and exclusions for certain vulnerable groups, including some families who benefit from special protections under European law.
Rwanda’s confirmation follows Italy’s announcement that it is already exploring a migration cooperation agreement with Kigali. Rome has been pushing for the creation of return hubs in third countries as part of its wider strategy to strengthen the EU’s ability to remove migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected.
Italy raised the issue during an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers following the large-scale arrival of migrants in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta. An estimated 70,000 people entered the territory during the crisis, while more than 70 deaths were reported in connection with the mass crossings.
Italian authorities have argued that the situation demonstrates the need for European countries to develop stronger mechanisms for managing irregular migration and returning people who do not qualify for protection.
Italy already operates migrant processing and detention facilities in Albania under an agreement between Rome and Tirana. The centres were originally established to accommodate migrants intercepted by Italian authorities at sea while their asylum applications were assessed.
The Albanian arrangement has faced significant legal and operational difficulties. Several migrants transferred from the Mediterranean were subsequently returned to Italy following court decisions, forcing the Italian government to modify the way the facilities are used.
The centres are also subject to restrictions concerning who can be transferred there. Women, children, elderly people and individuals considered medically vulnerable are excluded from the main scheme, leaving the facilities primarily focused on adult men.
As a result of the legal challenges, the centres are now generally used for a smaller number of migrants who have already been placed in immigration detention in Italy and are transferred to Albania while arrangements are made for their removal.
The possibility of a Rwanda-EU migration arrangement has also revived memories of the controversial agreement between Rwanda and the former British government.
The United Kingdom previously negotiated a plan under which migrants who had entered Britain through irregular routes and had no legal right to remain could be transferred to Rwanda, where their cases would be considered and they could potentially be resettled.
The agreement became the subject of intense political and legal controversy in Britain. It was eventually abandoned after the Labour government came to power in 2024.
Rwanda has nevertheless continued to develop partnerships with foreign governments on migration management. The country is among several African states, including Uganda, Ghana and Eswatini, that have agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States under arrangements involving financial support.
The latest discussions with European governments therefore represent another potential expansion of Rwanda’s role in international migration management.
For now, however, Kigali insists that no agreement has been finalized with the European Union or any individual member state. Any future arrangement would likely require negotiations over the number and category of migrants involved, legal protections, funding, accommodation, return procedures and the rights of people transferred to Rwanda.
The talks come as European governments increasingly explore ways of moving parts of their migration and asylum systems outside EU territory. Supporters argue that return hubs could make deportations more effective and discourage irregular journeys, while critics have raised concerns about human rights, legal safeguards and the responsibility of European countries toward asylum seekers.
Rwanda’s confirmation that discussions are underway suggests that the country could become one of the potential partners in Europe’s evolving strategy to manage failed asylum claims and irregular migration outside the bloc.