Rwanda and Poland have expanded cooperation in areas including diplomacy, trade, investment, defence, agriculture, green technology, aviation and education.

This week, Rwanda's new ambassador to Poland, Col (Rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga presented his Letters of Credence to Wojciech Zajączkowski, Poland’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The two officials discussed ways to strengthen relations across areas of bilateral interest.

This article reviews the different areas of mutual interest in which Rwanda and Poland have cooperated.

Diplomatic ties

Rwanda opened its embassy in Warsaw in 2021, while Poland opened its embassy in Kigali in 2022.

The opening of the two missions was followed by several high-level visits and agreements covering areas including defence, investment, education and economic cooperation.

In December 2022, Rwanda and Poland signed agreements on defence cooperation, university cooperation and collaboration between their investment agencies.

A Polish delegation of more than 20 companies also visited Rwanda during the same period for a business forum covering sectors including finance, ICT, health, agro-processing and mining.

Trade and investment

Agriculture and agro-processing have featured prominently in discussions between the two countries.

In 2020, a delegation of Polish investors and lawmakers visited Rwanda to explore opportunities in agriculture, food processing, agricultural machinery and solar energy.

The delegation also visited the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub, a large agricultural development project in the Eastern Province.

Polish companies have also invested in Rwanda. LuNa Smelter, a tin-processing plant in Kigali, is among the Polish investments in the country.

During Polish President Andrzej Duda’s state visit to Rwanda in February 2024, the two countries signed agreements on trade and economic cooperation as well as green technologies, environmental engineering, geology and energy efficiency.

The visit also included a business roundtable involving companies from the two countries.

Agriculture and green technology

Agriculture, machinery, food processing and energy have continued to feature in bilateral discussions.

In 2023, Rwanda and Poland discussed cooperation in agriculture, engineering, IT, energy, machinery, food-processing equipment, construction and cybersecurity.

Green technology was also included in the agreements signed during Duda’s 2024 visit.

Poland has promoted its GreenEvo programme, which supports companies offering environmental technologies, as part of its engagement with Rwanda.

Defence and security

Defence cooperation is another area covered by bilateral agreements.

In December 2022, Rwanda and Poland signed an agreement on cooperation in the defence industry. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the defence-industrial sector.

Cybersecurity has also featured in discussions between officials from the two countries.

Tax cooperation

The two countries have also worked together on tax administration.

In July 2023, Rwanda and Poland signed a Tax Solidarity Memorandum of Understanding covering areas including tax avoidance and evasion, reducing the tax gap and digitalisation of tax administration.

The cooperation also covers VAT, tax crime, the informal economy, digital tax returns and invoices, and the exchange of knowledge and experience.

Air connectivity

In November 2024, Rwanda and Poland signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement providing a framework for passenger and cargo air services between the two countries.

The agreement covers the operation of airlines designated by the two countries and provides a legal framework for air transport cooperation.

Education and diplomatic training

Education remains another area of cooperation.

More than 1,200 Rwandan students were studying in Poland by 2022, according to figures cited during bilateral engagements, while Polish institutions have also partnered with Rwandan universities.

The two countries have also cooperated in diplomatic training. In 2023, their foreign ministers signed an agreement on the training of diplomatic personnel.

The agreement was signed as the two sides discussed economic exchange, agriculture, engineering and IT.