Rwanda, Kenya eye greater two-way trade, investment

Rwanda and Kenya are seeking to expand two-way investment and trade as the two countries deepen cooperation in energy, transport and infrastructure. This was highlighted during the 10th Kenya-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) in Nairobi, on Monday, October 5, which reviewed progress on agreements signed between the two countries and identified new areas for cooperation. ALSO READ: Rwanda-Kenya fuel deal to help shield economy from global shocks - Minister Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ernest Rwamucyo said the economic relationship is already growing, with Kenyan companies operating in Rwanda and Rwandan businesses expanding into Kenya. “Kenyan companies have established themselves in Rwanda in banking, construction, insurance, education, agribusiness, tourism and hospitality. Rwandan businesses, including our national carrier RwandAir, are likewise present in Kenya, and this two-way investment shows the confidence our private sectors have in each other,” Rwamucyo said. Rwamucyo pointed to developments along the Northern Corridor as some of the most practical examples of the growing economic relationship. ALSO READ: Rwanda-Kenya energy deal: 40,000-tonne maiden petroleum cargo arrives at Mombasa Rwanda relies in part on Kenya's Mombasa port for access to international markets. In January, Rwanda and Kenya formalised an agreement on the establishment and operation of a Kenya Ports Authority liaison office in Kigali, while Kenya has allocated land to Rwanda at the Naivasha dry port. The arrangements are intended to improve coordination and make the movement of goods through the Northern Corridor more efficient. “As a landlocked country, Rwanda depends on efficient access to the Port of Mombasa, and we are grateful for Kenya’s partnership in keeping this route open,” he said. Rwamucyo also noted the recent shipment of Rwanda’s first cargo of 40,000 metric tonnes of refined petroleum products under a framework agreement signed in June on the importation of bulk refined petroleum products into Rwanda through the Port of Mombasa. “The new route through the Northern Corridor will help strengthen Rwanda’s energy security, make our supply chain more efficient and reduce logistics costs. It also shows what our two countries can achieve when we work together,” Rwamucyo said. Kenya’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Janet Mwawasi Oben, said improvements in transport and logistics are supporting stronger trade and investment links between the two countries. She highlighted the Kenya Ports Authority liaison office in Kigali, which has operated since 2013, as an important link between Rwandan businesses and Kenya’s port and logistics system. “A memorandum signed in January 2026 further strengthened the office’s role in improving service delivery and coordination of trade flows along the Northern Corridor,” she said. Oben also pointed to growing air connectivity between the two countries. Kenya Airways operates two daily flights to and from Kigali, while RwandAir resumed its Kigali-Mombasa route in December 2025 after a six-year break. “The resumption of this RwandAir direct flight is indeed a great milestone for our two countries, especially in boosting tourism and regional connectivity,” she said. She said these links were complemented by a growing presence of Kenyan businesses in Rwanda, citing companies including Kenya Airways, East African Breweries, KCB, Equity Bank, Kenya Seed Company Rwanda, CPF Group Rwanda and the Kenya Ports Authority. She said about 10,000 Kenyans live in Rwanda, with around 4,000 registered with the Kenyan High Commission. The presence of businesses and people from both countries, she said, provides a base for further economic and professional cooperation. “I am therefore pleased to note that the Kenyan diaspora and corporates continue to collaborate with Rwandan citizens through these companies and other like-minded entities in sharing expertise,” Oben said. Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei, said Rwanda’s acquisition of a 1.05 per cent stake in Kenya Pipeline Company through its initial public offering demonstrated confidence in Kenya’s strategic infrastructure. “We regard this not only as a welcome investment, but also as a clear demonstration of Rwanda’s confidence in Kenya’s strategic infrastructure and in the opportunities available within our economy,” Sing’oei said. He also cited Rwanda’s participation in the launch of the Dangote refinery in Lamu as another indication of its interest in Kenya as an economic and investment partner. Sing’oei said the two countries should now work to increase trade, investment and private-sector links. “Trade remains an important pillar of our economic relationship, and while our commercial exchanges have grown over the years, we recognise that there remains considerable scope to deepen and diversify trade between our two countries,” he said. He called for measures to address trade barriers, facilitate movement of goods and services and strengthen business-to-business links. “We should, therefore, continue working together to address barriers to trade, facilitate the movement of goods and services, strengthen business-to-business linkages, and create greater opportunities for investment on both sides,” Sing’oei said. Teta Gisa Rwigema, the Director General responsible for Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the focus of the 10th Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) should now shift from reviewing agreements to ensuring they produce measurable results. The previous JPCC, held in Kigali during President William Ruto’s visit in April 2023, resulted in the signing of 10 memoranda of understanding. “This 10th JPCC provides us with an important opportunity to move beyond reviewing progress and to ensure that our bilateral commitments translate into tangible outcomes for the people of Rwanda and Kenya,” Rwigema said. She urged officials to identify outstanding challenges and agree on clear timelines for implementing the commitments made by the two governments. “Our discussions will result in a clear roadmap and action plan, with defined responsibilities and timelines, to ensure effective follow-up and implementation of the commitments made by our two Governments,” she said.

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Rwanda, Kenya eye greater two-way trade, investment