President Paul Kagame hosted a group of business leaders from Saudi Arabia today at Village Urugwiro. The delegation, led by Hassan Alhwaizy, head of the Federation of Saudi Chamber of Commerce, arrived in Rwanda on February 12, 2025.
The group includes over 30 key business figures looking to explore investment opportunities and build stronger ties between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. Before meeting with the President, the Saudi delegation signed several agreements with Rwandan partners to improve trade and investment.
Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi, the Chairperson of the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in Rwanda, called the agreements a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.
The delegation also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial. They learned about the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and how Rwanda has moved forward to focus on sustainable development.
Rwanda and Saudi Arabia have a strong partnership, which began in 2018. This partnership spans across several sectors, including education, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure. In recent years, trade has grown, with Saudi Arabia becoming an important market for Rwanda’s agricultural products, especially vegetables and fruits.
Today’s meeting is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties. The delegation met with Jean-Guy Afrika, the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and other government officials to discuss opportunities in agriculture, real estate, and business.
The Saudi Federation of Chambers (Saudi FSC) plays an important role in connecting Saudi businesses with the rest of the world. Founded in 1980, it has 28 branches and supports Saudi companies in their international trade and investment efforts.
This visit is also part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to grow its presence in Africa, especially in East African countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Business forums will soon take place in all three countries to explore new opportunities.
The visit shows the growing relationship between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. Rwanda recently supported Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The two countries also signed a cooperation agreement in 2021, focusing on areas like healthcare, energy, and technology.
Both nations are eager to expand their partnership, especially in trade, investment, and technology.
