Pakistan ratifies MoUs with Rwanda on trade cooperation

The partnership will be implemented through Pakistan’s “Look Africa” development initiative.

The agreement will be used to establish mechanisms to promote trade between the two countries, including the establishment of a joint Pakistan-Rwanda trade group, regular high-level dialogues and close cooperation with the business community in both countries.

Pakistan began sharing a draft of the bilateral trade agreement with Rwanda in July 2018. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

After extensive discussions through diplomatic channels, inter-ministerial talks and virtual meetings between leaders of both countries, Pakistan and Rwanda agreed to replace the existing agreement with a more comprehensive and easier-to-implement one.

The decision by the Government of Pakistan has paved the way for the signing of the final agreement, which will provide for private sector cooperation, trade fairs and exhibitions, cooperation between business associations, the establishment of a Joint Business Council, promotion of joint projects, exchange of trade-related information and the removal of non-tariff barriers to trade.

Pakistan launched its “Look Africa Policy” in 2017, with the aim of increasing its exports, attracting investment and strengthening economic ties with African countries.

The program aims to help Pakistan expand its markets beyond its current markets through diplomatic efforts, trade agreements, private sector engagement and participation in regional trade fairs.

This is in line with Rwanda’s ambitions, especially as it has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and is known as a hub for trade and investment in Africa, making it a key partner for Pakistan in expanding its trade activities in the region.

Rwanda and Pakistan share relations and cooperation in various fields including education, political consultations, diplomatic cooperation, cooperation between the Rwandan Armed Forces and Pakistani security agencies, trade and others.

In April 2026, it participated in the International Tourism Expo being held in Pakistan, where it showcased its unique tourism industry and its natural beauty to the participants.

In 2025, Rwanda opened its embassy in Pakistan, while this Asian country opened its embassy in Rwanda in 2021. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

In the same year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, announced that Rwanda and Pakistan are in talks aimed at promoting trade and tourism between the two sides, so that in the future, non-stop flights between the two countries will be launched.

On July 15, 2024, Ambassador Fatou Harerimana presented credentials to the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, authorizing her to represent Rwanda in that country.

Pakistan is among the top importers of some of Rwanda's products such as tea, coffee, avocados and other agricultural and livestock products.

Rwanda imports medical equipment, rice, clothing materials, agricultural technology and others. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.