Pakistan, Rwanda eye deeper trade and investment ties under new pact

September 25, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Rwanda are set to strengthen economic cooperation following the finalization of a Trade Cooperation Agreement, with the framework expected to create new avenues for bilateral trade, investment and private-sector collaboration.

Speaking at the Rwanda-Pakistan Investment Forum 2026 in Kigali, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Naeem Khan, said the agreement marked an important step in expanding economic relations between the two countries, according to APP. a

Naeem Khan said the framework could help Pakistani businesses access East African and wider African markets through Rwanda, while also providing greater opportunities for Rwandan products to enter the Pakistani market.

He highlighted Rwanda’s strategic regional position, saying the country could serve as a gateway for Pakistani companies seeking to establish trade, investment and supply-chain links across East Africa.

The agreement is also expected to encourage diversification of bilateral trade by broadening the range of products traded between the two countries and expanding their respective geographical markets.

Naeem Khan said the two sides could also explore further trade liberalization in the future, including a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and potentially a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Beyond trade in goods, the framework provides scope for cooperation in investment, manufacturing, value addition, technology, innovation and regional supply-chain development.

The High Commissioner identified information technology, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, tourism, healthcare, education, real estate, logistics, e-commerce and the digital economy as areas offering significant potential for bilateral cooperation.

He also stressed the role of the private sector in translating the agreement into concrete commercial opportunities. Cooperation under the framework is expected to include trade facilitation, sharing information on investment and business opportunities, and stronger institutional links between private-sector organizations in both countries.

Naeem Khan highlighted the potential for greater engagement between the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), chambers of commerce and business organizations in Pakistan.

According to the High Commissioner, Rwanda is increasingly developing its role beyond that of a consumer market by positioning itself as a production base and a gateway to broader African markets.

This could provide Pakistani companies with opportunities to explore regional investment, manufacturing and supply-chain operations from Rwanda.

The Rwanda-Pakistan Investment Forum 2026 brought together government officials, investors, business leaders and private-sector representatives from both countries. Pakistani companies presented their products and participated in business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-government (G2G) engagements with Rwandan counterparts.

The Pakistani delegation included Ambassador Hamid Asghar Naeem Khan, Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Africa Economic Council; Misbah Khar, Advisor to the Chairman of the Senate and Ambassador of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference; and Dr. Rubina Malik, Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and Patron of Pakistan Africa House, alongside business leaders, investors and private-sector representatives.

The participation of Pakistani businesses reflected growing interest in Rwanda and the wider East African market.

Naeem Khan said the trade cooperation framework could provide a foundation for a broader Pakistan-Rwanda economic partnership, with future cooperation extending beyond conventional trade into investment, technology and regional economic integration.

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