Rwanda and Zambia have signed seven cooperation agreements that cover areas of investment, trade, agriculture, and migration so as to boost trade between them.
The agreements were signed by Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kakubo and his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta, and witnessed by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema, at a ceremony in Avan Hotel in Livingstone city, southern Zambia.
Zambia is among Rwanda’s major sources of raw sugar, corn, and soya bean imports. Trade value between both countries reached $20 million in 2020.
A statement by Zambia’s presidential spokesperson indicated that the country plans to leverage cooperation with Rwanda to rebuild its economy, create jobs, and put food on the table.
“Zambia is also using this opportunity to learn and share best practices in areas of information and communication technology as well as the areas of easing the cost of doing business,” the statement said.
The country also plans to learn from Rwanda how to position its economic sector into key economic pillars.
The two Heads of State were scheduled to visit some of Zambia’s tourist attractions including Victoria Falls, a waterfall on the Zambezi River that provides habitat for species of plants and animals, and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Both countries have been working to revive diplomatic relations since 2017 when President Kagame last visited Zambia, and have signed agreements on air services, defence, and security.
Read also; Rwanda’s Economy To Grow 7.2 Percent in 2022-World Bank.
