President Paul Kagame met Friday with a delegation led by Nurlan Zhakupov, CEO of Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna Development Fund, to explore opportunities for investment and development in Rwanda’s mining sector.
The meeting at Village Urugwiro included Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, and Alice Uwase, CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. Officials discussed ongoing bilateral agreements between Rwanda and Kazakhstan on strategic minerals, investment in natural resources, and research into rare and rare-earth metals.
Rwanda and Kazakhstan signed a cooperation agreement in May 2025 covering trade, technology, mining, and agriculture. Following the pact, Tau-Ken Samruk launched geological exploration for rare metals in Rwanda and Afghanistan, aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s role in the global mineral supply chain.
Rwanda’s mining sector generated roughly 2.4 trillion Rwandan francs ($1.7 billion) in 2024, with a national goal of 3.15 trillion francs ($2.17 billion) by 2029, according to RMB. The sector employs more than 92,000 people and contributes about 3% of the country’s GDP.
The government has identified 52 sites for exploration of lithium, beryllium, gold, and other minerals using modern technology. Rwanda is particularly rich in tungsten, tin, and tantalum, producing between 8,000 and 10,000 tons annually from wolfram, coltan, and related ores.
Officials said the talks are intended to deepen bilateral relations, attract investment, and support sustainable mining practices while maximizing Rwanda’s mineral potential.
