Rwanda and Tanzania, through their Ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, agreed to maintain neighbourly relations between countries.
This was discussed on 12th March when Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Vincent Biruta welcomed his counterpart, January Yussuf Makamba, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania, and his delegation for a bilateral meeting.
They discussed a wide array of topics, including ongoing investment projects, trade, and infrastructure.
Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta said that they wish to continue maintaining their good neighbourly relations through the promotion of increased trade flows, with the hope to continue reaping the rewards of a mutually beneficial economic partnership.
“Beyond stimulating our economic growth, these trade ties also strengthen the fraternal bond linking our two nations.” – Minister Biruta emphasized during the joint media briefing.
As part of his visit to Rwanda, Hon. January Yussuf Makamb interacted with more than 100 students from different Rwandan universities at African Leadership University.
Among other topics, the conversation tackled East African economic integration, culture, sports, and people-to-people connectivity.
Rwanda and Tanzania, in particular, share history and special relations in terms of politics, infrastructure, economy, and security.
In August 2021, when the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, visited Rwanda, agreements were signed at various levels to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Five agreements were signed, including cooperation in technology and communication, cooperation in the movement of people, and goods, education and regulation of medicines.
In terms of trade, the figures for 2021 show that Rwanda exported goods worth $300 million US to Tanzania, while Tanzania traded with Rwanda worth $500 million.
There are also infrastructure projects that the two countries have in common, where in 2018 the two countries resumed the large-scale railway project and signed an agreement to build this 532-mile road.
It is a project that was supposed to cost 3.6 billion US dollars, along with the joint project of the Rusumo Hydro Power Station which is expected to provide 80 Megawatts which will be shared between the three countries including Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania.
Minister January Yussuf Makamba and his counterpart Dr. Vincent Biruta during the joint media briefing