President Paul Kagame on Friday, October 16, received credentials from new envoys of South Africa, Sweden, South Korea, Mauritania and the European Union.

The envoys pledged to promote cooperation between their countries and Rwanda in various areas and greater people-to-people exchanges.

South Africa offers support, expertise

South Africa’s new High Commissioner to Rwanda, Tinyiko George Hlungwane, pledged to strengthen diplomatic relations as the two countries seek to restore ties strained over the past decade.

Relations between Rwanda and South Africa deteriorated in 2015 amid political and diplomatic tensions. The appointment of a resident South African envoy is part of efforts to rebuild relations and deepen cooperation between the two countries.

"My focus primarily is to normalise the relationship and take it even to a higher level than where we were by 2014, because there is a lot in common between this country and our country,” Hlungwane told reporters after his meeting with President Kagame.

He noted that the two countries had overcome difficult periods in their respective history, with South Africa emerging from apartheid and Rwanda rebuilding following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Hlungwane said stronger relations would benefit not only the two countries but also the wider African continent, citing their shared interest in multilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges.

Hlungwane said South Africa was ready to support Rwanda’s ambition to host Formula One in the early 2030s, noting that his country hosted the race in 1993. He said South Africa had experience in motorsport and infrastructure that could be useful to Rwanda.

He noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had already offered support for the initiative.

"President Kagame emphasised and stressed the fact that this is not just a Rwandan event. It is an African event,” Hlungwane said.

He added that his country could offer opportunities for young Rwandans to gain experience through its motorsport facilities and existing programmes.

Beyond motorsport, the High Commissioner cited infrastructure and engineering as areas where South Africa could share expertise with Rwanda, describing the proposed Formula 1 project as an opportunity for African countries to work together.

EU seeks more investment

The ceremony also saw Jérémie Blin present his credentials as the European Union’s ambassador to Rwanda.

Blin said he had discussed the EU-Rwanda partnership with President Kagame, including achievements made in recent years and opportunities to deepen cooperation.

He said the EU wanted to maintain a partnership based on shared values and common interests.

He highlighted areas of cooperation, such as in health, digitalisation, logistics and mobility.

Blin also identified private-sector investment as a priority.

"I think we have a shared interest to see more EU companies coming to Rwanda and investing here and in the region,” he said.

South Korea prioritises skills and technology

South Korea’s new ambassador, Huh Jung-ae, who becomes the country’s first female envoy to Rwanda, said she would focus on strengthening bilateral relations across politics, the economy and emerging industries.

She said South Korea intended to continue development cooperation through its Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), official development assistance and technical cooperation programmes.

The projects, she said, would support human capital development through education, agricultural productivity and technology, tech-driven governance and infrastructure development.

Huh said South Korea was ready to share its experience in economic development and support Rwanda’s ambition to build a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy.

She also highlighted people-to-people exchanges, including scholarships for Rwandan students and public diplomacy initiatives aimed at strengthening understanding between the two populations.

Sweden eyes stronger trade ties

Sweden’s new ambassador, Henrik Nilsson, said increasing trade and economic exchanges would be among his priorities during his tenure in Rwanda.

Although trade between the two countries remains limited, Nilsson said there was room to expand cooperation, particularly in digitalisation, electrification and artificial intelligence.

He cited Swedish companies already operating in Rwanda, including telecom company Ericsson, as examples of existing business links.

Nilsson said he hoped to build on these relationships to increase commercial exchanges and identify further opportunities for Swedish companies in the country.

The fifth envoy to present credentials to President Kagame is Mauritania’s ambassador, El Houssein Ould Nagi.