More than 200 investors from Northern Europe have convened in Rwanda for a three-day forum aimed at exploring investment opportunities across key sectors of the country’s economy.
The investors, drawn from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, are visiting Rwanda for the second edition of the investment gathering designed to showcase the country’s growing business potential and encourage new partnerships.
Speaking at the meeting, a representative of the European bloc to which the Nordic countries belong, Laporte, praised Rwanda for creating a conducive investment climate and streamlining procedures for starting businesses.
He noted that as Rwanda continues implementing its second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the European Union remains committed to being a reliable and long-term partner. He stressed that sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors will remain key to Rwanda’s economic growth, which has largely been driven by strong partnerships between government and business.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Nordic countries, Diane Gashumba, described the forum as a significant milestone in strengthening investment relations between Rwanda and Northern Europe. She said participation has grown compared to the previous edition and noted that agreements signed during last year’s meeting are already being implemented.
“This time we have about 200 participants, compared to 53 international attendees at the previous meeting,” she said, adding that the increasing turnout reflects growing interest from Nordic investors.
Ambassador Gashumba also highlighted the participation of several ambassadors, saying their presence signals the growing importance of the forum and their role in encouraging investors from their respective countries to consider Rwanda as an investment destination.
On the private sector side, Jeanne Francoise Mubiligi said Rwandan businesses are ready to engage in detailed discussions with Nordic investors to explore concrete investment partnerships.
She noted that Rwanda’s private sector comprises a broad network of companies eager to collaborate with international partners and transform innovative ideas into sustainable investment projects.
Investors attending the forum were informed that registering a business in Rwanda can take as little as six hours, while more than 400 services are available through the One Stop Center operated by the Rwanda Development Board.
Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, Jean Guy Africa, said the meeting offers an opportunity to present Rwanda’s priority investment areas as the country positions itself as a competitive investment hub in Africa.
He noted that Rwanda is promoting industries capable of competing on the global market and expanding exports. Key opportunities exist in pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical equipment production, construction materials and value-added agro-processing, sectors expected to support the expansion of industrial parks across the country.
Over the past two decades, investors from Nordic countries have invested more than $200 million in Rwanda.
