Kigali, Rwanda, Friday, 9 June 2023 – Hundreds of business operators from Europe and Rwanda will gather in Kigali, Rwanda from 26-27 June 2023 for the EU-Rwanda Business Forum.

This first ever forum is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda and the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre.

The forum will convene private sector companies from the European Union member states and Rwanda to explore investment and trade opportunities as well as partnerships with businesses in Rwanda. The European Union is the biggest source of Foreign Direct Investment to Rwanda, with investments worth US$ 210 million registered in 2022. 

Held under the theme ‘Rwanda-your gateway to Africa’, the two-day interactive event, open for all companies to attend, will feature plenary sessions on Rwanda’s business environment and investment opportunities with a focus on sectors with outstanding growth potential including Agribusiness, Mining, Health & Pharmaceuticals, Financial and Digital Services, and Green and Sustainable economy.

Commenting on the forum, the Ambassador of the European Union to Rwanda, H.E Belen Calvo Uyarra noted that the EU-Rwanda business forum will further strengthen Rwanda and EU trade relations.

“With the organisation of the first EU-Rwanda Business Forum, the EU underpins Rwanda’s development vision to involve private sector more prominently in the economic transformation of the country. We are inviting EU businesses to come to Rwanda to explore business opportunities and invest in jobs and growth in Rwanda. The event will also promote the establishment of partnerships between Rwandan and EU companies to cooperate with and develop thriving businesses.”

On her part, Hon. Clare Akamanzi, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board said:

“The EU-Rwanda Business Forum will be a great platform for the European private sector to explore the trade and investment opportunities in Rwanda and exchange knowledge with their Rwandan counterparts on how to do business together sustainably. For the economy to thrive, Rwanda can benefit from the expertise and resources at the disposal of the private sector of developed EU countries and this forum will be a great starting point as we look to create more jobs and improve livelihoods of our people.”

The event will also offer opportunities to set up structured B2B and B2G networking meetings. In addition, development finance institutions will attend to showcase the opportunities linked to the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD+), a financing tool of the EU’s Global Gateway investment mobilization framework for partner countries.

Learn more and register to attend at https://www.eu-rwbf.com/

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For media inquiries contact:

Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda

Flora Kaitesi, Press and Information Officer

Email: Flora.KAITESI@eeas.europa.eu

Rwanda Development Board (RDB)

Doreen Ingabire, Communications Director

Email: communications@rdb.rw

About EU: The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states in Europe, which have conferred certain policy-making powers to the Union, while retaining others. Through the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the EU has developed a role in external relations and defence. It maintains permanent diplomatic missions throughout the world and represents itself at the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the G7 and the G20. The EU’s foreign and security policy, as well as political dialogue between the EU and Rwanda are conducted by the High Representative and the Commission, represented in Rwanda by the EU Delegation. Regular political and sector dialogues covering the whole breadth and depth of the relationship provide platforms for discussing respective policy priorities and reforms and underpin EU development assistance in support of these. The European Union (EU) and Rwanda have a long-standing partnership focusing on promoting global governance and cooperation in international institutions, promoting sustainable and inclusive development of Rwanda, as well as increasing trade and investment between the parties. For more details, visit European Union in Rwanda

About Rwanda Development Board (RDB): The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is a government agency in Rwanda with a vision to transform Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, and innovation. Its mission is to fast-track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth. Learn more about the Rwanda Development Board at www.rdb.rw