During the just concluded Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) between Rwanda and Zambia, it was agreed to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, trade and investment, governance and tourism sector. Zambia is keen to draw lessons from Rwanda on the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), given that they are at the early stages of developing their own Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZ).
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In 2017, trade between Rwanda and Zambia amounted to US$ 40.9million, consisting mainly of imports in sugar, oats and grains (including maize and soya). East African Exchange (EAX) is reported to import Barley, Grade 1 Maize and Soya from Zambia equivalent to US$ 1.5 million.
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There are existing opportunities to further enhance trade between Rwanda and Zambia through inland water transport to and from Mpulungu port through Tanganyika. In addition to the Northern and Central corridors, Rwanda could explore the Tanganyika corridor route through lake Kivu-Rusizi River to Lake Tanganyika that links EAC with SADC countries, as well as explore the Mpulungu, Dar es Salaam – Isaka – Kigali routes.
President Kagame visited Zambia in June last year for two days, during which he laid a wreath at the Embassy Park Presidential Memorial site, held talks with his host President Lungu and also paid a courtesy call to former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda.
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