In a landmark move aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic engagement, the Republic of Rwanda officially inaugurated its embassy in Islamabad on April 22, 2025.
The ceremony was led by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, during his official visit to Pakistan. He termed the inauguration of Rwanda High Commission in Islamabad as a milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior government officials from both countries, along with representatives of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries. Ambassador Nduhungirehe is also expected to hold high-level meetings with key Pakistani officials and sign several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at fostering bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
Expanding Economic Engagement
Pakistan and Rwanda are actively working to strengthen their bilateral economic relations, with officials from both sides emphasizing the vast untapped potential in trade and investment. Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, stated that efforts are underway to establish a legislative framework aimed at increasing mutual trade, including the finalization of taxes and tariffs.
Nduhungirehe noted that preliminary consultations are also being held on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which he said is essential for promoting bilateral trade. He emphasized that current trade levels are far below their potential and need to be significantly increased. Highlighting Rwanda’s market of 14 million people, he added that Pakistan could use Rwanda’s strategic position as a gateway to the larger East African market of 250 million people.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, also underscored the vast potential for expanding economic cooperation. He highlighted that Pakistan’s Gwadar and Karachi ports can facilitate Rwanda’s connectivity to South and Central Asian markets. Chaudhry also endorsed the idea of setting up an “African Trade House” in Pakistan’s industrial cities, which could help foster stronger economic ties with African nations, including Rwanda.
Following the establishment of its diplomatic mission in Islamabad, Rwanda is placing increased emphasis on economic cooperation with Pakistan. The country’s first High Commissioner to Pakistan, Harerimana Fatou, highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening trade ties during a recent visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
“Despite being a small country, Rwanda is keenly looking forward to collaborating with Pakistan. Being small and landlocked is not a limitation for Rwanda. As a member of the East Africa Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Union, Rwanda thinks big. Its open-market policy makes it easily accessible, offering Pakistani businesses the chance to leverage its free trade agreements across the African region,” she stated.
Pakistan’s Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of exploring new markets. “Pakistani tractors, known for being both cost-effective and energy-efficient, are already making an impact in Africa. These could be a valuable export to Rwanda,” he noted. He also highlighted opportunities in electric bikes, mobile phone manufacturing, textiles, footwear, and other key industries.
Tapping into Africa’s Emerging Markets
The Rwandan high commissioner underscored the potential for Pakistan to engage more deeply with African markets via Rwanda, which she described as a gateway for Pakistani investors. Rwanda’s liberal investment policies, online company registration processes, and visa-on-arrival facilities create an enabling environment for foreign businesses, she explained.
“Setting up a business in Rwanda is straightforward and can be completed online within two hours through the Rwanda Development Board,” she said. “Visa-on-arrival facilities are also available at Rwandan airports.”
The KCCI meeting also addressed Rwanda’s growing tourism sector, which contributes 65 per cent of its national revenue and attracts nearly two million tourists annually. The high commissioner praised Pakistan’s contributions to Rwanda’s technological landscape, noting that the country’s AI-based road lighting system was developed by Pakistanis.
Trade Potential across Sectors
On trade, both countries acknowledged untapped opportunities. Rwanda currently exports minerals, vegetables, beans, and significant quantities of tea—45 per cent of Pakistan’s tea imports come from Rwanda, albeit routed through Kenya. “The Karachi business community should consider directly importing tea from Rwanda instead of Kenya. I am here to connect you with Rwandan tea and coffee producers to promote direct exports from Kigali to Karachi,” the high commissioner said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan exports rice, cooking oil, and pharmaceuticals in limited volumes to Rwanda—products the country primarily sources from India and China. “We import these products in large quantities from India and China. Why not source them from Pakistan?” she asked.
Pakistan, Rwanda defense cooperation
In a further sign of deepening bilateral engagement, a high-level defense delegation from Rwanda, led by Rwanda Air Chief Lieutenant General Jean Jacques Mupenzi, visited Pakistan in February 2025. The delegation called on Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support capacity-building efforts for the Rwandan Air Force. “Pakistan stands ready to share its operational training expertise with the Rwandan Air Force to help address its contemporary security challenges,” the military’s media wing stated.
General Mupenzi expressed admiration for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), particularly its high professional training standards, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and multi-domain capabilities. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Rwandan air chief emphasized the urgent need for a major overhaul and strategic collaboration to enhance Rwanda’s air force capabilities.
“The visiting dignitary also expressed a strong desire for a partnership with Pakistan Air Force aimed at establishing comprehensive training programs for basic-level training of aircrew and technical training of ground crew of Rwandan Air Force,” the ISPR said.