Kigali: A Rwandan delegation led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Chantal Tuyishimire, is in Brazil on a five-day visit aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, innovation and developing human resources.
The visit began on August 17 and will end on August 21, 2026, bringing together representatives of government and private sectors.
The Rwandan delegation visited the Brazilian Agricultural Research Institute (Embrapa), where discussions focused on collaboration in research and innovation in the agricultural sector were held.
The delegation also held discussions with Brazilian business entities on trade and investment opportunities in Rwanda, while the discussions with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) focused on promoting trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The Rwandan delegation also held discussions with the Government of the State of Santa Catarina on economic cooperation and investment opportunities.
The visit also brought together Rwandan and Santa Catarina business entities, in order to identify and promote opportunities for business cooperation.
One of the outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Polytechnic Institute of Rwanda (RP) and Fecomércio, the Federation of Service and Tourism Entrepreneurs of the State of Santa Catarina.
The agreement aims to develop the skills and capabilities of workers, especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
This visit is one of the latest initiatives undertaken in the context of promoting relations between Rwanda and Brazil, as the two countries continue to seek to increase cooperation in various fields.
Rwanda and Brazil have had diplomatic relations since 1981. However, in recent years, cooperation between the two countries has increased, including the opening of embassies on both sides.
Rwanda and Brazil agree to abolish visa requirements for their citizens. Rwanda opened its embassy in Brasília in 2024, before Brazil opens its embassy in Kigali in June 2025.
In February 2026, the two governments held the first Rwanda-Brazil Business Forum in Kigali, attended by more than 60 business leaders.
The forum concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting trade, investment and cooperation between the Private Sector. The agreements were signed between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and ApexBrasil, as well as between Rwandan and Brazilian private sectors.
The latest visit continued discussions and cooperation in sectors including agriculture, trade and investment, while also expanding knowledge and capacity building, as well as the hospitality and tourism sectors.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry announced that the group will continue its activities until August 21, where discussions focused on bilateral trade, investment and economic development cooperation. (End)