Rwanda is positioning itself as a strategic gateway for Brazilian companies seeking to expand into African markets, as more than 200 business leaders and private-sector representatives from the two countries met in São Paulo to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
The Rwanda-Brazil business meeting, held on August 20, 2026, brought together business representatives to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral trade, attracting investment and creating partnerships between companies from the two markets.
The meeting focused particularly on Rwanda’s potential role in helping Brazilian businesses access the wider African market, leveraging the country’s investment environment, regional position and participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Brazil, Lawrence Manzi, said the country offers Brazilian companies an attractive platform from which to expand their operations across Africa.
“For Brazilian companies seeking a presence in Africa, Rwanda is an undeniable gateway,” Manzi said.
He highlighted Rwanda’s efforts to facilitate business and investment, as well as its strategic location in the region, saying these factors could make the country an effective bridge between Brazilian businesses and African markets.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Claver Tuyishimire, said Rwanda’s small geographical size should not be mistaken for limited economic opportunities.
“Although Rwanda is small, its opportunities are vast,” he said.
Tuyishimire pointed to Rwanda’s participation in AfCFTA and regional markets as key advantages for investors seeking to reach a much larger consumer base.
He said Rwanda’s location and trade agreements provide businesses established in the country with potential access to a continental market of more than 1.3 billion consumers.
The engagement comes as Rwanda steps up efforts to attract investment and strengthen its position as a regional trade and investment hub.
According to the Rwanda Development Board’s 2025 Annual Report, the country registered $2.62 billion in investments across 799 projects in 2025, up from 612 projects in 2024. The investments were expected to generate more than 38,000 jobs.
However, the value of registered investments was lower than the $3.2 billion recorded in 2024, even as the number of projects increased by more than 30%.
The São Paulo meeting therefore provides an opportunity for Rwanda to deepen its engagement with Brazilian businesses at a time when both countries are seeking to expand economic ties.
For Brazilian companies, Rwanda offers a potential entry point into the East African and wider African markets. For Rwandan businesses, stronger engagement with Brazil could open opportunities for new partnerships, investment and access to one of Latin America’s largest economies.
The discussions reflect Rwanda’s broader strategy of using trade agreements, investment facilitation and its regional position to attract international businesses and strengthen the country’s role as a platform connecting Africa with global markets.
