Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda are expected in Rwanda on a state visit that seeks to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. He is expected to arrive in the capital of Kigali on Tuesday, February 6, following his two-day visit to Nairobi, according to Stéphanie Nyombayire, President Paul Kagame's press secretary. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Poland sign three pacts to enhance cooperation Duda embarked on a trip in East African countries in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, as part of his international mission to build relationship with African countries. While in Rwanda, he is expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Paul Kagame and preside over the signing of cooperation agreements between both countries. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Poland to establish Rwandan Diplomatic Academy Additionally, Duda and Polish delegates will attend a Rwanda-Polish business forum and visit LuNa smelter –the largest Polish investment in Rwanda’s mining sector –as well as visit Kigali Genocide Memorial, among other items on the agenda. After his tour in Rwanda, the Head of State will head to neighbours Tanzania, according to the announcement. Rwanda and Poland have, over the past, cemented bilateral relations in various fields of education, defence, agriculture, trade and investment, among others. Currently, there are more than 1,500 Rwandan students in Poland, which is the largest number of international students from one country. In June 2023, the two countries signed an agreement that will focus on the training of Rwandan diplomatic personnel and support the establishment of the Rwandan Diplomatic Academy. In December 2022, Poland announced that it would soon establish an embassy in Kigali, this is while Rwanda moved to open an embassy in Warsaw in 2021. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Polish bank sign Rwf29bn deal to improve dairy sector While there is still need to improve trade between both countries as previously noted by foreign affairs counterparts, efforts to boost investment climate based on bilateral cooperation agreements, have seen Polish business forum which convened over 20 Polish companies to explore investment opportunities in Rwanda.
