In a significant advancement for bilateral relations, Liberia and Rwanda have signed a landmark General Cooperation Agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kigali. This agreement represents a pivotal step in enhancing diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
A release said the signing ceremony was attended by a high-level Liberian delegation led by Dr. Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration. The delegation also included Dr. Macdonald Momo Dagoseh Metzger, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration in the Office of the Vice President, and Mr. Richmond Orichos Neufville, Sr., Press Secretary and Speechwriter to the Vice President.
The historic agreement aims to foster closer collaboration across multiple sectors, including air transport, ICT and digitization, e-governance, education, health, agriculture, quarrying and mining, environmental sustainability, trade and investment, and visa exemption, among other areas of mutual interest. It underscores a commitment to promoting sustainable and harmonious development based on mutual benefit and sovereign equality.
A joint permanent mission will be established to oversee the follow-up and implementation of the agreement, comprising representatives from both countries. Dr. Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei signed the agreement on behalf of Liberia, while Ambassador Olivier J. P. Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, represented Rwanda.
During their visit, the Liberian delegation will engage in discussions with Rwandan authorities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of ICT, and the Rwanda Development Board. They will also visit key sites including the Kigali Special Economic Zone, the Campaign against Genocide Museum, and the Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park.
This agreement is expected to usher in a new era of economic cooperation between Rwanda and Liberia, aligning with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and enhancing intra-Africa trade.
Liberia and Rwanda share a history of overcoming post-conflict challenges through substantial peace-building efforts aimed at fostering investment and economic growth. Rwanda, a landlocked country in East Africa, has made remarkable progress since the 1994 genocide, focusing on governance, reconciliation, and economic development.
It ranks among Africa’s top nations for ease of doing business and low corruption. Key economic drivers include tourism, which generated approximately USD 620 million in 2023, and agriculture, contributing around 35% of GDP and employing about 70% of the population. Agricultural exports are projected to reach approximately USD 1 billion by the end of 2024.
