Remarks by Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood at the Distinguished Lecture by H.E. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on “Rising Africa: The Diplomatic and Economic Success Story of Rwanda”, ISSI, 22 April 2025
It is a distinct privilege to welcome everyone to the Institute of Strategic Studies. We are deeply honoured to welcome Excellency Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda — featuring in our Distinguished Lecture Series. Minister Olivier is a highly accomplished diplomat and a leading figure in Rwanda’s regional and global outreach. His visit to Pakistan not only symbolizes our growing bilateral relations but also illustrates the widening arc of Pakistan’s engagement with the African Continent.
Rwanda is an outstanding example of resilience, resolve and transformation. Having experienced a horrific genocide in 1994, Rwanda has recovered remarkably to become a stable, united and prosperous country today. This is owed primarily to the vision of President Paul Kagame, whose transformational leadership enabled Rwanda to achieve exceptional success in reconciliation and development. During the recent decades, Rwanda has registered consistently high economic growth rates, significantly increased its GDP, and moved towards creating a knowledge-based economy. Rwanda is now widely recognized for its progress in governance, socio-economic development, gender empowerment, environmental sustainability, and digital innovation.
Situated in the heart of Africa, Rwanda has increasingly assumed an important role in the African Union, the East African Community, and global peacekeeping efforts. With its ambitious ‘Vision 2050’, Rwanda aims to become a high-income country, powered by knowledge, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. For all these reasons, Rwanda stands out as a key African partner — one that offers valuable lessons and meaningful opportunities for mutually-beneficial collaboration.
Pakistan’s relations with Rwanda have witnessed steady growth in recent years. The opening of the Pakistan High Commission in Kigali in 2021 was a landmark step in expanding our diplomatic footprint in East Africa. In a reciprocal and equally significant development, Rwanda has now opened its resident mission in Islamabad — a historic milestone that reflects our flourishing partnership and mutual commitment to deeper engagement. Minister Olivier personally participated in the formal inauguration of the Rwandan High Commission earlier this afternoon.
These diplomatic openings will undoubtedly catalyze enhanced cooperation across multiple domains – including trade, investment, education, health, agriculture, technology, maritime affairs, and people-to-people linkages. Rwanda’s openness to Pakistani businesses, educational institutions, and technical expertise offers a promising avenue for substantial collaboration. These avenues were explored in-depth in the substantive interactions that Minister Olivier has had with the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, several other Ministers, and the Prime Minister during this visit.
Rwanda is also a crucial partner within the context of Pakistan’s ‘Engage Africa’ policy — a strategic effort to enhance our political, economic, and development partnerships with African nations. With 54 countries, a population of over 1.4 billion, and a combined GDP of over $ 3 trillion, Africa represents a Continent of vast potential and promise. Its youthful demographics, expanding consumer base, rapid urbanization, and evolving regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signal a brighter future. Pakistan is keen to be a part of this journey — not as a distant observer, but as an active and trusted partner. This move is also in sync with Pakistan’s pivot to geo-economics.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s long-standing participation in UN peacekeeping missions across Africa, including past deployments in Rwanda, reflects our abiding commitment to the Continent’s peace, security, and progress.
Excellency, we view your visit as a timely opportunity to reinforce the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Rwanda relations and to develop a roadmap for a dynamic, multifaceted and forward-looking relationship. We look forward to hearing your perspective on Rwanda’s domestic and foreign policy priorities, on regional challenges and Rwanda’s response, on Africa’s role in shaping the transforming global order, and on ways for Pakistan to build sustainable partnerships with African nations based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared development goals.
Before I conclude, on behalf of the ISSI, I wish to express our sincere appreciation for the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the High Commission of Pakistan in Kigali, and Rwanda’s High Commission in Islamabad, for organizing this important event.
So, Mr. Minister, welcome again and we keenly look forward to your insightful discourse.
Thank you.
