Rwanda highlights East Africa market access for Pakistani businesses

LAHORE: Rwanda's High Commissioner to Pakistan, Harerimana Fatou, has said Rwanda can serve as an entry point for Pakistani businesses seeking access to East Africa's 300 million consumers, while also offering broad scope for investment, trade and industrial cooperation, according to a statement issued on Monday.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the envoy said Rwanda ranks among Africa's more business-friendly economies. She said the country maintains zero tolerance for corruption, offers strong safeguards for investors and provides incentives aimed at attracting foreign investment.

The meeting focused on trade and investment opportunities between Pakistan and Rwanda, with both sides underlining the potential for stronger commercial engagement.

Business opportunities discussed at LCCI

LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol welcomed the high commissioner and said Rwanda had become one of Africa's fastest-growing and business-friendly economies. He attributed that progress to economic reforms, political stability and digital transformation.

Saigol said trade between the two countries was rising steadily, but added that considerable room for expansion still existed. He said Pakistan's exports to Rwanda in the current financial year had posted encouraging growth, which he said reflected increasing interest among Pakistani exporters in African markets.

He also outlined sectors in which Pakistan could supply competitive products to Rwanda. These included value-added textiles, pharmaceuticals, rice, automotive parts, surgical instruments, sports goods and information technology services.

Invitation to expand engagement

Harerimana Fatou encouraged Pakistani businesspeople to visit Rwanda and explore opportunities in manufacturing, processing industries and special economic zones.

She also invited the Lahore chamber to take part in the Pakistan-Rwanda Business Forum, which is scheduled to be held in Kigali in September 2026.

The statement indicated that the interaction at the chamber formed part of efforts to promote stronger business-to-business links and widen economic cooperation between the two countries. The discussion highlighted Rwanda's position in East Africa and Pakistan's interest in expanding exports and commercial outreach in African markets.

Officials at the meeting stressed that while bilateral trade has shown progress, there remains significant untapped potential in multiple sectors. The exchange also underscored the role of institutional engagement, including chamber-level contacts and business forums, in facilitating future partnerships.

The high commissioner's remarks and the chamber leadership's response pointed to a shared interest in increasing trade flows and encouraging direct interaction between private-sector stakeholders from both countries.