The envoys made the remarks after presenting their letters of credence to President Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village on Friday, October 16.

Sweden’s new Ambassador to Rwanda Henrik Nilsson said expanding trade and economic cooperation would be among his priorities, noting that businesses in both countries could benefit from opportunities in digitalisation, electrification and artificial intelligence.

Relations between Sweden and Rwanda are already strong, he said, but the volume of trade remains relatively low compared with its potential.

“There is potential to increase trade, and that will be one of my top priorities,” Nilsson said.

He cited Swedish companies already operating in Rwanda, including telecommunications firm Ericsson and education company EF Education First, as examples of existing business links that could provide a foundation for further cooperation.

EF partners with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Mastercard Foundation to deliver English-language and communication skills training for workers in Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

South Korea’s new envoy Huh Jungae, who becomes the first woman to represent her country as ambassador to Rwanda, said she would focus on development cooperation, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

She highlighted projects supported through South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), official development assistance and technical cooperation programmes.

The initiatives are expected to support skills development through education, strengthen agricultural capacity and technology, advance digital governance and help develop infrastructure needed for sustainable economic growth.

Huh said these priorities aligned with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), adding that South Korea would share its experience and knowledge as Rwanda pursues a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy.

She also highlighted plans to promote educational exchanges, including opportunities for Rwandan students to study in South Korea through the Global Korea Scholarship programme.

The ambassador wore a custom-made hanbok, South Korea’s traditional dress, incorporating the colours of the Rwandan flag, which she said symbolised her respect for Rwanda and her hopes for its future.

“This reflects my heartfelt commitment to working tirelessly for both our nations,” she remarked.

South Africa seeks to normalise relations

South Africa’s new High Commissioner Tinyiko George Hlungwane said his priority was to normalise relations with Rwanda and take bilateral cooperation beyond the level reached before diplomatic tensions intensified in 2014.

His appointment comes as the two countries pursue a diplomatic reset after more than a decade of strained relations.

In June 2026, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, met his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, in Pretoria to launch a new chapter of bilateral cooperation.

The two governments agreed on a roadmap to restore cooperation, expand trade and investment, strengthen political dialogue and deepen collaboration across several sectors.

South Africa also committed to resuming the issuance of visas to holders of ordinary Rwandan passports within 12 months. The countries further agreed to reactivate their Joint Commission of Cooperation, with Rwanda scheduled to host the next session in the first quarter of 2027.

Hlungwane said the two countries shared common experiences and supported multilateral cooperation, creating opportunities to strengthen ties for their mutual benefit and that of the wider continent.

He also highlighted opportunities for South Africa to support Rwanda’s preparations to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in the early 2030s.

Rwanda secured a 10-year agreement to host the championship this week, bringing Formula 1 back to Africa for the first time since 1993, when South Africa hosted the last race on the continent at the Kyalami circuit.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his country’s experience in organising major sporting events to support Rwanda’s preparations.

President Kagame welcomed the offer in a message posted on X on October 15, saying Rwanda looked forward to working with South Africa and other partners to make the Grand Prix a continental event and advance motorsport across Africa.

Hlungwane said South Africa could contribute expertise in infrastructure, engineering and motorsport training, including opportunities for young Rwandans to gain experience at facilities in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“We will work hard together with our other African countries to make sure it becomes a very successful event for the continent,” he said.

EU seeks greater investment

European Union Ambassador-designate Jérémie Blin said he would work to deepen the bloc’s partnership with Rwanda, building on progress made in recent years.

He highlighted health, digitalisation, logistics and mobility as areas in which the EU and Rwanda could continue working together.

Blin also identified private sector investment as a priority, saying both sides wanted to attract more European companies to Rwanda and the wider region.

“We have shared interest to see more EU companies coming to Rwanda and investing here and in the region,” he said.

He added that the partnership should be based on shared values and common interests, with benefits for both sides.

Mauritania eyes economic cooperation

Mauritania’s new envoy, El Houssein Ould Nagi, who is based in Addis Ababa, said relations between his country and Rwanda were strong politically but could deliver greater economic benefits.

He said the two governments were working to translate their political ties into practical outcomes, particularly in trade and other areas of economic cooperation.

“In the coming period, you can expect a number of announcements that will give a new and decisive boost to our bilateral relations,” he said.

The envoys’ statements come as Rwanda seeks to strengthen international partnerships through investment, technology transfer, development cooperation and closer regional engagement.