Rwanda has expressed deep appreciation for China’s escalating role in the country’s development across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture. The remarks were delivered by James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, during a ceremony in Kigali held ahead of China’s National Day on October 1.
Minister Kabarebe said that Rwanda’s evolving relationship with China is based on trust, mutual respect, and practical collaboration, which has been key to ongoing socio-economic transformation. He reaffirmed Rwanda’s support for the one-China principle and noted that Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) has played a critical role in accelerating Rwanda’s growth journey.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi added that the bilateral relationship has been officially elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, citing that bilateral trade reached approximately US$670 million in 2024. Gao also highlighted several flagship projects: the Masaka Hospital in Kigali; newly upgraded highways bolstering regional connectivity; and modern, smart education systems designed to prepare Rwanda’s youth for the future.
Kabarebe and Gao both emphasized that platforms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative have been instrumental in aligning investment, policymaking, and development goals. These frameworks, they said, help ensure that Rwanda’s development is not only fast but also sustainable and inclusive.
