Rwanda urges Pakistani investors to tap East African market

LAHORE: Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Harerimana Fatou, has invited Pakistani investors to explore investment opportunities in her country, describing Rwanda as a gateway to a 300 million strong East African market with vast potential for trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), she said Rwanda is among Africa’s most business-friendly economies, citing its zero tolerance for corruption, strong investment protection framework, and attractive incentives for foreign investors.

LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol congratulated the high commissioner on receiving the “Global Ambassador 2025” award and said Pakistan could export competitive products in textiles, pharmaceuticals, rice, automotive parts, surgical instruments, sports goods, and IT services. He also expressed the Chamber’s readiness to facilitate joint ventures with Rwandan counterparts.

In a separate meeting at the FPCCI Regional Office in Lahore, Regional Chairman and Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Zaki Ijaz said Rwanda could serve as a strategic entry point for Pakistani businesses into East and Central Africa, while Pakistan could help Rwanda access South Asian markets and industrial expertise.

He noted that Pakistan was strengthening its “Look Africa” policy and that FPCCI remained committed to expanding trade ties with African nations.

The High Commissioner invited both chambers to the Pakistan-Rwanda Business Forum scheduled in Kigali in September 2026, saying Pakistan’s strengths in textiles, packaging, value addition, and logistics align with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 development agenda.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026