Rwanda High Commissioner Invites Pakistani Businesses to Explore East African Market

LCCI President says Pakistan and Rwanda must convert strong diplomatic relations into robust economic partnership
By Dr Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Harerimana Fatou, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda, has said that Rwanda offers Pakistani businessmen an ideal gateway to the 300 million consumers market of East Africa and provides immense opportunities for investment, trade and industrial collaboration.
She said that Rwanda is among Africa’s most business-friendly economies with zero tolerance for corruption, strong investment protection and attractive incentives for foreign investors.
She was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry during a meeting with President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol.
Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi and Executive Committee Members Shouban Akhtar, Mohsin Bashir, Firdous Nisar and Karamat Ali Awan were also present on the occasion.
LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol warmly welcomed the High Commissioner and congratulated her on being honored with the prestigious “Global Ambassador 2025” award by the Diplomatic Insight Group. He said that the recognition reflected her remarkable efforts in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Rwanda.
Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that Rwanda has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most business-friendly economies in Africa due to its economic reforms, political stability, digital transformation and strong investment promotion policies. He said that Pakistan and Rwanda enjoy longstanding cordial relations and there is significant potential for enhancing cooperation in trade, health, education and investment.
The LCCI President said that bilateral trade between the two countries is increasing steadily but there is still huge untapped potential. He said that Pakistan’s exports to Rwanda during the current financial year have shown encouraging growth, reflecting the increasing interest of Pakistani exporters in the African market.
He said that Pakistan can offer competitive products to Rwanda in sectors including value-added textiles, pharmaceuticals, rice, automotive parts, surgical instruments, sports goods and information technology services. He assured that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is ready to mobilize its members for joint ventures and partnerships with Rwandan companies.
Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol emphasized the need for exchange of trade delegations, participation in exhibitions and stronger interaction between chambers of commerce of both countries. He also stressed the importance of improving banking channels and regulatory facilitation to further promote bilateral trade.
Highlighting opportunities in education, the LCCI President said that Pakistani universities are offering quality and affordable education in medical sciences, engineering, business management and information technology, which can greatly benefit Rwandan students.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic role in promoting regional peace and stability and said that Pakistan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to dialogue, cooperation and peaceful engagement at the international level.
Speaking further, Harerimana Fatou appreciated those members of the Lahore Chamber who have already visited Rwanda and started exploring business opportunities there. She encouraged more Pakistani businessmen to visit Rwanda and benefit from the vast opportunities available in manufacturing, processing industries and special economic zones.
The High Commissioner thanked the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the warm welcome and appreciated the growing engagement of Pakistani businessmen with Rwanda. She said that Rwanda and Pakistan enjoy excellent bilateral relations based on mutual respect, friendship and shared aspirations for economic transformation.
She added that her visit to Lahore was aimed at strengthening practical cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education and people-to-people exchanges.
The High Commissioner said that Rwanda seeks long-term partnerships with Pakistan and invited the Lahore Chamber to participate in the upcoming Pakistan-Rwanda Business Forum scheduled to be held in Kigali in September 2026. She said that the event would provide an excellent platform for business matchmaking and investment collaboration between the two friendly countries.
She said that Pakistan’s expertise in textiles, packaging, value addition and logistics is exactly what Rwanda’s growing economy needs under its Vision 2050 development agenda. She expressed confidence that enhanced cooperation between the business communities of both countries would lead to sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.
At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue close coordination to strengthen economic ties and explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Rwanda.