Rwanda, Pakistan sign trade cooperation deal

Rwanda and Pakistan have signed a bilateral trade cooperation agreement aimed at expanding trade and investment, diversifying products, strengthening private-sector partnerships and laying the foundation for deeper trade liberalisation, including a preferential trade agreement (PTA) and eventually a free trade agreement (FTA). The agreement was signed by Rwanda's Minister of Trade and Industry Antoine Kajangwe and Pakistan's High Commissioner Naeem Khan, during the Rwanda-Pakistan Investment Forum 2026 in Kigali. Held from September 23 to 24, the two-day forum brought together government officials, investors, manufacturers, business leaders and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities for stronger economic and commercial cooperation. The trade cooperation agreement is designed to modernise the bilateral trade framework and promote greater diversification, while connecting businesses to regional supply chains and strengthening cooperation between private-sector institutions. Under the agreement, Rwanda and Pakistan will cooperate in areas such as trade facilitation, information sharing for investment opportunities and creation of stronger linkages between private-sector organisations. This includes cooperation between Rwanda's Private Sector Federation and chambers of commerce and other business organisations in Pakistan.