Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe has said relations between Rwanda and Poland are strong and expanding, with both countries positioning their partnership around trade, investment, and strategic cooperation rather than aid.
Nduhungirehe made the remarks on Thursday while participating in the Leaders Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of global discussions bringing together political and business leaders.
Addressing Africa–Europe relations, the minister said the two continents share a long history and continue to cooperate in key areas including the economy and investment, but stressed the need for a new model of engagement.
“Africa–Europe relations matter because we share history and many common interests with European countries,” Nduhungirehe said. “We still work together in economic cooperation and investment, and we want to strengthen this partnership. However, Africa wants to move away from an aid-based approach toward trade-driven cooperation.”
Turning to bilateral relations, Nduhungirehe said Poland and Rwanda are longstanding partners, with cooperation spanning development, education, security, trade, and investment.
“Poland is a friend of Rwanda,” he said. “We have embassies in both countries, Polish investors are active in Rwanda, and we cooperate in education, security, trade, and the minerals sector. This partnership, particularly in promoting trade, will continue to grow.”
The minister highlighted recent agreements as evidence of deepening ties. In 2024, Rwanda and Poland signed cooperation agreements covering economic and trade relations, green technology, environmental protection, mining, and energy. Earlier, in 2022, the two countries concluded a security cooperation agreement, with a focus on collaboration in the defence industry.
Officials say these agreements provide a framework for expanding investment and technology transfer, while aligning with Rwanda’s broader strategy to strengthen economic diplomacy and attract value-adding partnerships from Europe.
