Pakistan and Rwanda on Monday confirmed their commitment to improve bilateral cooperation across several sectors including trade, defense, technology and diplomacy.
The promise followed a meeting at the delegation level between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, and Rwanda’s Foreign Minister and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungrehe. The Rwandan Foreign Minister was on his first official visit to Pakistan from April 21 to 22.
During their discussions, both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral connections and signed an appointment morandum (MOU) in diplomatic training. Ministers highlighted the potential for further cooperation in priority areas such as trade, investment, defense, diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar emphasized the importance of Pakistan placing his relationship with Rwanda, noting that Pakistan established his High Commission in Kigali in 2021 and that the inauguration of Rwanda’s High Commission in Islamabad was expected during the current visit.
Ishaq Dar said Pakistan was an important importer of Rwandan -te and explored increased imports of other products, including coffee, avocado, pulses and horticulture. He also noticed the potential for Pakistan to expand his exports to Rwanda in medicines, textiles, rice, surgical instruments, Agri-Tech and sports equipment.
FM Dar, who highlighted the digital sector, said Pakistan was interested in working with Rwanda in areas such as e-Governance, Fintech, Digital Innovation and Youth Focused Technology Platforms. He greeted Rwanda’s participation in the upcoming Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference and a single national exhibition in Addis Abeba in May 2025.
Both ministers recognized the importance of high -level exchange and cooperation in multilateral forums with mutual support for candidates in the United Nations and other international bodies.
Foreign Minister Nduhungrehe noted that the signing of Mou was part of a broader effort to elaborate on cooperation with further agreements that were considered. He said that his delegation, which included representatives from Rwanda’s Development Board and the Ministry of Commerce, reflected Rwanda’s interest in expanding business ties with Pakistan.
Rwanda’s exports to Pakistan are currently at approximately $ 26 million, while Pakistan’s exports to Rwanda a total of about $ 100 million, according to the Rwandan Foreign Minister. He expressed interest in exploring joint projects in sectors such as education, health, trade and defense.
Nduhungrehe also emphasized the potential for collaboration in tourism and sports, including cricket, which is largely followed in both countries. He praised Pakistan’s contribution to the UN peacekeeping and conflict resolution in Africa, especially in connection with Pakistan’s current non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
He confirmed Rwanda’s obligation to continuous peace efforts in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and expressed hope of progress in the coming months.
