KIGALI - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, yesterday, received a team of Chinese education investors from the World Eminence Chinese Business Association (WEBCA).

The group of about 30 led by Junqing Lu, Chairman of the association, donated US$1m (approximately Rwf600m) to build primary schools in Rwanda.

WEBCA is one of the largest Chinese business networks that promote friendly relations and cooperation between China and African countries by constructing primary schools.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the meeting, Makuza said that they discussed modalities on how to start the construction of the schools.

"We appreciate the existing friendly relations between our country and China. The donation is of great importance to the education sector,” he stated.

Makuza pointed out that Rwanda is among the first four countries in Africa that will benefit from the project.

"China is currently supporting us in various areas; education, health, infrastructure and energy. This initiative by WEBCA comes from Rwanda’s commitment to promote education,” he explained.

The Premier added that the delegation also expressed interest in exploring other investment opportunities in the country.

Junqing Lu said their discussions with the Prime Minister centred on how Chinese entrepreneurs could participate in the development of the country’s economy, especially in the education sector.

"We have donated US$1 million towards the construction of primary schools and this is part of a general project to construct primary schools across the African continent, by the China-Africa Project Hope, a flagship of WEBCA,” he explained.

The WEBCA chairman revealed that the project is already underway in Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia and Burundi.

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