Ties between Rwanda and Egypt have been strengthened in past years with both countries running fully-fledged diplomatic missions in their two capitals.
Egypt through its Rwandan embassy that was opened in 1975, has contributed quite commendably especially in the areas of health, where contributions were made towards supporting vulnerable Rwandans to access high-tech medical procedures from Cairo, or at several occasions through flying into groups of medical experts from Egypt to treat patients, dominated by poor folks who could otherwise not afford the specialized health care provided.
The great relationship between these two countries kicked off years ago when Rwanda opened its embassy but came to close only to be re-opened again in 2015, where Sheikh Habimana Saleh, the Mufti of Rwanda, became Rwanda’s first Envoy to Egypt.
Every four years, Egypt sends off a new envoy to Rwanda, with the recent one being Ahmed El Ansary who replaced Dr Namira Mohamed El-Mahdi Negm.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE Reporter, Rwanda’s Envoy to Egypt, Habimana Saleh said that ties between Rwanda and Egypt across several sectors including trade, healthcare and education among others, were at its best peek.
On Education, the envoy said; “Rwandans who come to study in Egypt are either Muslims or are Government-aided, although the latter is rare. There are also few who pay for themselves.”
Today, a total of 63 Rwandans study in Egypt with 51 studying in Al-Azhar University, Cairo. Seven of the rest are sponsored by Alexandria University, while two are sponsored by Rwanda Military Hospital to study in Cairo University. When added up to a few based Rwandans, a total of Rwandans residing in Egypt are 88.
On Healthcare, Sheikh Habimana hinted that in coming days, a deal between the respective Health Ministries of Egypt and Rwanda would see the latter receiving medicines to cure Communicable Diseases – ACPHD.
He also added that there were Egyptian investors interested in Rwanda’s hotels, while others were working on an Amusement/theme park dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort”, and others who were interested in Rwanda’s Industrial sector, mainly in the clothing sector, Wood and Furnitures, and Home Appliances – like Refrigerators, Ironing machines, Television, and others.”
Among these awaited projects, the Amusement park to be built over an area of 200,000 sq. meters that will be dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort” will be allocated in Rusororo, Gasabo District. The wonderland project led by Bahgat Group will feature various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes.
Aside of performing Trade projects, Bahgat Group is in a drive of supporting citizens, where the group chairman Ahmed Bahgat announced that 60 households will receive electricity from solar-energy with the Group’s support.
Commenting on these projects, Egypt’s Envoy to Rwanda, Ahmed El Ansary, noted that nothing specific had been yet done, but that in coming days, most will be launched. He further gave an example of the ongoing Egypt and Middle East expo, saying that it was only one of their many projects.
Every year, the Egypt and Middle East expo is organized in Rwanda, during which products made in Egypt are showcased and it is also seen as a gateway for Egyptian investors in the Rwandan market.
Both Rwanda and Egypt share common interests on the regional and international scene, besides their membership in many organizations and regional gatherings such as COMESA, the NEPAD initiative, the African Union, and the Nile Basin Initiative.
In August 2017, President Abdel Fattah el Sisi was the first Egyptian leader to visit Rwanda, where he was welcomed by President Kagame, before proceeding to a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
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