Exclusive
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
ISLAMABAD: The High Commissioner of Rwanda to Pakistan, Ms. Fatou Harerimana, has outlined an ambitious vision for strengthening Rwanda–Pakistan relations following the recent opening of the Rwandan Embassy in Islamabad. Speaking with Daily Islamabad Post, CENTRELINE magazine, and the Diplomatic News Agency, she highlighted the vast scope of cooperation possible between the two countries and reaffirmed her commitment to building a robust bilateral partnership.
Ambassador Harerimana described the opening of the embassy as a significant milestone in Rwanda’s foreign policy, reflecting her country’s vision to create pathways for Rwandans as well as visitors and investors from across the globe. She noted that Pakistan is a nation with strong potential and a longstanding friendship with Rwanda, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums.
Looking ahead, the High Commissioner envisages deeper cooperation in sectors such as education, infrastructure, sports, information technology, artificial intelligence, gender equality, agriculture, tourism, and cultural exchange. She also emphasized opportunities for collaboration in governance and institutional development, sharing Rwanda’s experiences under its national development frameworks from Vision 2020 to Vision 2050. These frameworks aim to transition Rwanda to an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050, focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth while ensuring a high quality of life for all citizens.
Ambassador Harerimana pointed to Rwanda’s innovative programs as models for exchange, including the “Visit Rwanda” tourism initiative, the community work program Umuganda, and the cultural education platform Itorero. She also mentioned youth-led projects such as the Youth Volunteer Program and women-led initiatives like kitchen gardens that contribute to food security at the grassroots level.
While she considers all sectors as potential priorities for cooperation, she acknowledged that specific focus areas may depend on engagement with various investors and government partners. She confirmed that several proposed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Rwanda and Pakistan are ready to be signed, and she invited Pakistani investors to explore opportunities in Rwanda. These include tax exemptions for IT and machinery, reduced utility tariffs for large factories, and streamlined land acquisition processes.
Cultural diplomacy, she said, plays a vital role in building understanding between nations. Citing the example of an exhibition in Lahore in February 2025—where Pakistanis living in Rwanda who had learned Kinyarwanda acted as interpreters—she noted how such exchanges foster mutual respect and connection.
As Rwanda’s first resident High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Harerimana views her mission as building strong and friendly relations with the people and government of Pakistan while paving the way for deeper sectoral cooperation. She expressed gratitude for the warm welcome she received upon her arrival, describing Pakistan as a developed, clean country with hospitable people.
Addressing youth in both countries, she urged them to seize opportunities in their homelands and remain focused on building a better future. To entrepreneurs, she extended an open invitation to visit Rwanda, highlighting its stable, business-friendly environment and its strategic position as a gateway to East African and wider global markets. Likewise, she encouraged Rwandan entrepreneurs to explore the many opportunities Pakistan offers.
Finally, Ambassador Harerimana called on policymakers in both countries to work towards facilitating the free movement of people, removing existing barriers, and boosting trade opportunities, thereby creating a stronger, mutually beneficial Rwanda–Pakistan relationship.
