Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary-General of La Francophonie, has urged Rwandan business operators to exploit business opportunities within the French-speaking community.

She said this during a press conference on the margins of the La Francophonie Economic and Trade Mission in Rwanda from July 11 to 13.

More than 100 companies from 25 French-speaking countries are in Rwanda to meet about 250 local companies for prospective business partnerships.

Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Rwanda Development Board introduced the delegation to the eased steps required to open a business in Rwanda and different policies in place to ensure a favourable business environment.

Delegates pose for a group photo after a morning session  during  the La Francophonie Economic and Trade Mission in Kigali on July 12.

Mushikiwabo said Rwanda can leverage agreements signed within regional blocs such as ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) where La Francophonie has many member countries.

"French-speaking countries are already doing business but it's not enough, which is why we have put in place these trade missions to encourage business people and investors to take up such opportunities."

We want to go away with tangible results of business partnerships, passing from words and strategies to action, she added.

Mushikiwabo mentioned agro-industries, renewable energies, and digital goods and services as areas of interest among member countries.

Beata Habyarimana, Minister of Trade and Industry disclosed that certain companies have already shown interest in doing business in Rwanda and some agreements are expected to be signed over the course of this trade mission.

"Through a close collaboration with the OIF, we will be able to do a follow-up on different discussions that took place and facilitate them with necessary policies that can be put in place in different countries,” she said.

According to available statistics, La Francophonie countries account for 20 percent of global trade.

Facilitating trade within unstable African regions

We are one of international organisations that work on matters of security, notably through political and governance programmes, said Mushikiwabo.

"You know almost all countries in the Sahel are members of our organization, a region that has enormous security challenges because of terrorism...it's not only in Africa but even in other French-speaking countries."

Delegates follow Louise Mushikiwabo's remarks during  the La Francophonie Economic and Trade Mission in Kigali on July 12. Photo by Dan Nsengiyumva

"Surely you can't talk anything related to business in a country where there is terrorism, she added.

Among other interventions, Mushikiwabo mentioned the OIF programme to train peacekeeping troops in the French language to ease their communication with concerned corps in these regions.

Currently, La Francophonie drives multilateral cooperation with 88 Member States and Government which include 54 full members, 7 associate members and 27 observer members.

Established in 1970, the organisation is dedicated to promoting the French language and political, educational, economic and cultural cooperation among member states.