By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Plans to strengthen business, trade and security ties between Nigeria and Rwanda gained momentum on Thursday as both countries agreed to fast-track bilateral initiatives aimed at boosting investment and expanding economic cooperation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed details of the meeting in an email to Persecondnews.
The commitment came as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, received Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Moses Rugema, during a courtesy visit to the ministry in Abuja.
The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and explored practical measures to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, regional security and increased private sector participation.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria and Rwanda should translate their strong political relations into tangible economic outcomes through expanded trade, greater investment and stronger private sector participation.
“Our Governments should continue creating an enabling environment for businesses to drive sustainable economic cooperation and development,” he said.
The minister also stressed the importance of sharing best practices in governance, human security, infrastructure development, education and public service delivery to advance the African Union Agenda 2063 and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, (AfCFTA).
Both countries acknowledged Africa’s complex security challenges and agreed stronger collaboration, African-led solutions, strengthened defence cooperation and sustained dialogue remain vital to combating terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime.
On his part, Rugema conveyed greetings from the Rwandan government and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening longstanding ties built on mutual respect, African solidarity and shared aspirations for peace, regional integration and sustainable development.
He said technical consultations were underway to conclude outstanding bilateral agreements and urged both countries to convene the next session of the Nigeria-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission.
“We propose a Nigeria-Rwanda Business Forum to facilitate greater collaboration between the private sectors of both countries while leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Rugema said.
The envoy identified trade and investment, ICT, healthcare, agriculture, peace and security, defence cooperation and capacity building as priority sectors for stronger collaboration between both countries.
He expressed confidence that deeper cooperation in those sectors would promote economic growth and regional stability across the continent.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expedite the Joint Permanent Commission and establish the proposed Nigeria-Rwanda Business Forum.
They expressed confidence that both initiatives would strengthen trade, investment, people-to-people exchanges and unlock new opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
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