Pakistan and Rwanda Explore Direct Maritime Links to Boost Trade and Shipping
Pakistan and Rwanda are taking significant steps to strengthen bilateral trade and establish direct shipping connections, aiming to enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce transit costs. The move was highlighted during the Rwanda Coffee Festival held in Islamabad, inaugurated by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan.
On the sidelines of the festival, Kamal Khan held talks with Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi. The two sides agreed to develop direct supply chains, promote business-to-business engagement, and expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and investment, according to an official statement. Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Commerce, also attended the discussions.
Speaking at the event, Minister Kamal Khan noted that both Pakistan and Rwanda are agro-based economies with strong trade complementarities. He emphasized that structured commercial linkages could unlock untapped trade potential, particularly at a time when global food security has become strategically important.
Traditionally, Rwanda’s exports to Pakistan have focused on tea. However, coffee consumption in Pakistan is rising, especially among younger consumers. While Pakistan imports nearly $3 billion worth of tea annually, coffee is gradually becoming a mainstream product. Kamal Khan highlighted Rwanda’s premium-quality coffee, competitive pricing, and geographic proximity as key advantages. He also suggested that Pakistan’s 250 million-strong market could serve as a gateway for Rwandan coffee exports to Central Asia, western China, and neighboring regions.
On Pakistan’s export potential, the commerce minister outlined strengths in rice, textiles, leather, footwear, sports goods, surgical instruments, pharmaceuticals, home appliances, electronics, and agricultural machinery. He highlighted ongoing exports of Pakistani tractors to African markets and expressed interest in expanding trade with Rwanda on mutually beneficial terms. Pakistan is also keen on importing Rwandan avocados, pulses, lentils, and beans, with support for phytosanitary certification being facilitated through cooperation between relevant authorities.
Minister Sebahizi described Pakistan as a significant market for Rwanda and stressed the need to diversify exports beyond tea to specialty coffee, spices, and other value-added products. He highlighted Rwanda’s strategic role as a trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area, providing access to more than 1.4 billion people. Sebahizi noted that Pakistani rice is already consumed in Rwanda and re-exported to other African markets.
Both sides emphasized the importance of direct supply chains to reduce reliance on transshipment via third countries. Rwanda is reportedly in discussions with Pakistan’s maritime authorities to cut shipping times and costs, as current transit periods of up to 45 days could be significantly reduced.
The ministers also reviewed progress on a proposed memorandum of understanding on trade and economic cooperation, with Rwanda noting that only minor technical adjustments remain before finalization.
In a related discussion, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry met with Rwandan High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou to explore direct sea routes from Karachi to East African ports, including Djibouti and Mombasa. Plans include reducing shipping costs by up to 30% and shortening transit times through a Karachi-Djibouti maritime corridor.
Junaid Chaudhry added that Gwadar is being positioned as a future export hub for Africa, supporting Pakistani exports while facilitating imports of Rwandan tea, coffee, and avocados. He emphasized that direct maritime links would improve connectivity for Rwanda despite its landlocked geography, leveraging Djibouti and Mombasa as strategic gateways.
