By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The Private Sector Federation (PSF) of Rwanda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) to strengthen trade and investment relations between Rwanda and Nigeria.
The agreement was signed during the Invest in Rwanda Session held on the sidelines of the 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair.
Heritage Times HT reports that the event was jointly organised by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in Nigeria, in partnership with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
The new partnership is designed to promote business-to-business cooperation, trade promotion, and knowledge exchange between enterprises in both countries, translating dialogue into tangible investment projects.
Speaking at the ceremony, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, described the agreement as another milestone in the growing economic relationship between both nations.
“Investing in Rwanda is not just a financial opportunity, it is a chance to be part of a transformative story that spans an entire continent. What truly defines Rwanda is our mindset: a commitment to innovation, excellence, and partnership. Every industrial park, road, and technology hub reflects a country moving boldly toward the future and inviting Nigeria to be part of that journey,” Bazivamo said.
He noted that Nigerian investors had played an important role in Rwanda’s economic transformation, contributing significantly to its dynamic and trusted investment ecosystem.
“Nigerian businesses have already contributed significantly to Rwanda’s growth story, fostering trust, collaboration, and shared prosperity,” he added.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Chinyere Almona, who represented the Chamber’s President, Gabriel Idahosa, reaffirmed LCCI’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations between Nigeria and Rwanda.
“As the LCCI, we are committed to encouraging our members to explore joint ventures, investment missions, and technology transfer opportunities with Rwanda. The Invest in Rwanda Forum is not just a promotional platform, it is an avenue for businesses to structure deals, create jobs, and advance intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework,” Almona stated.
Ms Chantal Atukunda, representing the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), highlighted Rwanda’s investor-friendly policies and the country’s steady economic growth trajectory.
She noted that Rwanda recorded an average GDP growth rate of over seven per cent, with more than $3.2 billion in investment commitments in 2024.
According to her, the 2024 B-READY Report ranked Rwanda among the world’s top performers in business readiness — placing third globally in operational efficiency, eighth in public services, and seventeenth in regulatory framework.
Atukunda further revealed that Nigeria ranked fourth among foreign investors in Rwanda, contributing $413 million to the country’s investment inflows last year.
In his remarks, the First Deputy President of KACCIMA, Dr Abdulaziz Muhammed, described Rwanda as a strategic ally in Africa’s economic transformation.
“We are committed to working together to advance the course of the African continent. Rwanda has been a friendly nation to us in terms of business, and we are ready to take the relationship to the next level,” Muhammed said.
The Invest in Rwanda session showcased the country’s robust investment support ecosystem, reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and fostering inclusive growth across Africa.
