President Paul Kagame received a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia today at Village Urugwiro, led by Hassan Alhwaizy, the head of the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce.
The delegation, which includes over 30 business leaders, arrived in Rwanda on February 12, 2025, to explore investment opportunities and strengthen business ties between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia.
Prior to meeting the President, the Saudi delegation signed several agreements with Rwandan counterparts, marking a significant step toward long-term collaboration in trade and investment. Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi, President of the Private Sector Federation (PSF) of Rwanda, described the agreements as laying the foundation for sustainable economic cooperation.
As part of their visit, the Saudi business leaders also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s history, particularly the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and how the country has rebuilt itself to focus on sustainable development.
Rwanda and Saudi Arabia have maintained strong diplomatic and economic relations since the establishment of formal ties in 2018. The partnership spans sectors including education, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure, with growing collaboration in technology, finance, tourism, and agriculture. In particular, Saudi Arabia represents an expanding market for Rwanda’s agricultural exports, particularly vegetables and fruits.
The Saudi delegation’s visit underscores the countries’ commitment to deepening their partnership. In addition to discussions on trade and investment, the delegation held talks with Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and other government officials about opportunities in agriculture, urban development, real estate, and commerce.
Furthermore, the Saudi Federation of Chambers (Saudi FSC), which represents a wide network of businesses across Saudi Arabia, has been instrumental in promoting trade policies and facilitating investments in various sectors, including energy, technology, healthcare, and education. Established in 1980, the Saudi FSC includes 28 branches and plays a crucial role in advancing economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and its global partners.
This visit is part of a broader strategy by Saudi Arabia to expand its business footprint in Africa, particularly in East Africa, where countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania present significant investment opportunities. As part of this initiative, business forums are planned to take place in each of these countries, strengthening the ties between Saudi businesses and local entrepreneurs.
The visit also reflects the growing diplomatic ties between the two nations, as evidenced by Rwanda’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Moreover, in 2021, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia signed a new cooperation agreement, which built on previous diplomatic ties and emphasized areas of mutual interest, including healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and technology.
Looking ahead, both Rwanda and Saudi Arabia are keen to continue building on their partnership, with a particular focus on expanding trade, investment, and technological cooperation.
