The meeting saw Rwanda reaping eight fruits throughout the week-long event where the country landed different deals with Commonwealth members and other institutions for implementation of projects expected to promote national economy.

Besides, talks between Heads of Government are expected to yield results in the near future. Resolutions taken during the meeting will also touch lives of people from member countries that increased to 56 after admitting Gabon and Togo during the meeting.

This article will focus on fruits Rwanda reaped during the CHOGM week that run between 20th and 25th June 2022.

Vaccine manufacturing facility

As CHOGM was underway on Thursday 23rd June 2022, President Kagame laid broke the ground for construction of vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro of Gasabo District.

The ground-breaking event of BioNTech Group vaccine manufacturing facility, based on BioNTainer modular system was attended by different dignitaries including the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; the CEO of BioNTech, Prof Dr Uğur Şahin ; the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat ; the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aïssata Tall Sall among other partners.

The facility will be used to manufacture vaccines for COVID-19, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

Kigali Financial Square

On the second day of CHOGM 2022, President Paul Kagame laid foundation stone for the construction of Kigali Financial Square, a commercial building of Equity Group which owns Equity Bank Rwanda Limited.

The building is expected to be the tallest in Rwanda.

He said that the US$100 million project will see two identical tall skyscrapers (Twin Tower) erected in Kigali.

The eco-friendly building is expected to be completed in 24 months.

One section will be comprised of 24 floors that will house offices while the second will be a 20-floor building comprised of a hotel and residential structures.

FIFA President to be elected in Kigali

During CHOGM 2022, the world football governing body (FIFA) confirmed Rwanda as the host of the 73rd edition of the FIFA Congress, where the election of its new president is due to take place. The congress was scheduled for Kigali in Rwanda on 16th March 2023.

An election timeline was approved by the FIFA Council at its meeting in March this year in Doha, where current President Gianni Infantino announced he would stand for re-election.

Rwanda was confirmed as a host after proving its competencies in hosting high-profile events.

Air Canada to commence flights to Rwanda

As the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) drew to the end in Kigali on Saturday 25th June 2022; the Government of Rwanda and Canada signed Air Transport Agreement (ATA) expected to boost connectivity between both countries.

The agreement signed between Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and his counterpart of Canada, Mélanie Joly; will see Air Canada and RwandAir allowed to use each country’s airspace.

Canada also announced plans to open embassy in Rwanda and appoint new ambassador with residence in Kigali with a view to deepen bilateral ties.

Commonwealth School of Compliance in Rwanda

The government of Rwanda also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DLA Piper and FTI consulting to set up the Commonwealth School of Compliance aimed at raising standards of compliance and governance across the Commonwealth. The MoU which is crucial to trade and investment was signed on 22nd June 2022.

The Commonwealth School of Compliance will be a platform for increasing shared understanding, knowledge and interconnectivity between member countries and will help train future leaders from across public and private sectors in best practices of sustainability, governance, risk and compliance.

Rwanda and Jamaica signed tourism development partnership

The Government of Rwanda and Jamaica, on 25th June 2022, signed an agreement for tourism collaboration that will see both tourism sectors mutually benefit from each other.

Following the deal, Edmund Burtlett, the Jamaican Tourism Minister announced via Twitter handle that he had started discussions with the Rwanda national carrier, RwandAir paving the way for direct flights between Kigali and Kingston in the near future.

In April this year, President Paul Kagame visited Jamaica where both countries signed bilateral agreements in different areas.

The Memoranda of Understanding were signed on political consultations as well as tourism development and promotion.

During the visit, leaders from both countries also held discussions on critical areas of interest for cooperation. These include investments in agriculture, special economic zones, manufacturing and logistics with additional commitment to further explore collaboration in culture, health, youth engagement, energy and digital technology.

Rwanda, Barbados sign private sector investment agreement

On the margins of 26th Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM); Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Invest Barbados signed an agreement to promote and implement strategic private sector investments in both countries.

The agreement was signed between Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of RDB and Kaye-Anne Greenidge, the CEO of Invest Barbados.

Invest Barbados is the main investment promotion agency that attracts and facilitates foreign investment. It offers guidance and direction to new and established investors seeking to pursue investment opportunities in Barbados.

Among sectors of partnership mentioned include Agro-processing for local and international export markets, tourism, health, mining, real estate and financial services.

Rwanda, Zambia agriculture development partnership

On 23rd June 2022, the CEO of RDB, Clare Akamanzi an MoU with the Director General of Zambia Development Agency, Albert Halwampa, to promote partnerships in agriculture between both countries.

The deal followed the commitments between President Paul Kagame and his counterpart of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema to promote trade and investment.