In brief
In a KIGALI interview on Oct. 29, Deputy CEO Juliana Muganza explained that Rwanda’s participation in the forthcoming 9th China International Import Expo is part of a broader strategy to deepen trade and investment links with China. Trade volumes with China have grown from roughly $300 million in 2019 to $849 million in 2025, and Chinese investment in Rwanda climbed to $548.5 million in 2025.
In KIGALI on Oct. 29, Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Juliana Muganza, told Xinhua that Rwanda’s regular participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) is a deliberate strategy to deepen ties with one of its most important economic partners, China.
She framed the 9th CIIE, scheduled to run Nov. 5‑10 in Shanghai, not simply as an exhibition but as an annual platform that offers Rwanda a unique opportunity to present products and investment opportunities directly to Chinese buyers, distributors, e‑commerce platforms and consumers.
Muganza said:
We use the CIIE to build long‑term commercial relationships, better understand developments in the Chinese market, promote Rwanda as an investment and tourism destination, and strengthen the broader economic partnership between Rwanda and China.
The official highlighted that Rwanda’s trade with China has expanded markedly, with bilateral trade rising from about $300 million in 2019 to $849 million in 2025, according to RDB data. Rwanda’s exports to China surged from roughly $35 million to $227 million over the same period.
Rugby RDB also noted the expose’s role for small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises. “For a country like Rwanda, the CIIE provides a vital opportunity for local companies to present their products directly to Chinese buyers, distributors, e‑commerce platforms and consumers,” Muganza said.
Rwanda has been a participant at the CIIE since the first edition in 2018, using each edition as a springboard for investment and tourism promotion.
Chinese investment in Rwanda also grew during the same timeframe. Registered investment by Chinese companies rose from $460 million in 2024 to $548.5 million in 2025. Chinese firms are increasingly active in sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, energy and real estate.
While the official acknowledged that the achievements cannot be credited to the expo alone, the CIIE “contributed by providing Rwanda with a major platform every year to promote local products, investment opportunities and tourism,” she added.
This year’s CIIE will feature Rwandan exhibitors showcasing some of the country’s most competitive and distinctive products, including specialty coffee and other agricultural goods that are sought by Chinese markets.
In summary, Muganza underscored that Rwanda’s long‑term relationship with China is being built on regular engagement at the CIIE, which the board sees as a crucial gateway to the Chinese market and a catalyst for broader economic partnership, investment, tourism and SME exposure.
