Rwandans in China are set for ground-breaking periodic meetings aimed at among other things, attracting investment, showcasing the country’s progress, and promoting trade, tourism and ‘Made in Rwanda’ to the Chinese market. China, which led the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into Rwanda in 2024 with $460 million (14.1 percent of all FDIs), is “an important market,” according to a statement from the Rwandan embassy in China. The inaugural event will be held from August 1-2 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, bringing together private companies, traders, members of academia, tour operators, cultural organisations, representatives of business associations, the media, and friends of Rwanda. The Rwandan embassy in Beijing says the event will also be an ample opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage, as it coincides with Rwanda’s Umuganura harvest festival. ALSO READ: Rwanda-China trade doubles as exports to China increase fivefold The day’s program will include performances of traditional dance and music, cultural storytelling, ibisakuzo (riddles), guha abana amata (serving milk to children), and games like kubuguza, showcasing Rwandan traditions to an international audience. The program will feature a high-level business forum organised in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), expected to attract approximately 200 companies from various sectors across China, providing them with an opportunity to learn about Rwanda’s business environment and investment prospects. In 2024, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) registered 612 investment projects in 2024, with a total value of $3.2 billion, a 32.4 per cent increase compared to $2.4 billion recorded in 2023. ALSO READ: China and Africa: Partnership for an AI-powered future From 2021 to 2024, trade between Rwanda and China more than doubled, increasing from $742 million to $1.76 billion, a 137 percent rise, while Rwanda’s exports to China surged from just $16 million to $108 million, a significant 575 percent spike.
