Kigali: The Australian government on Tuesday named its envoy to Rwanda as it extends the promise to expand the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Australian Foreign Ministry announced that Mr. Geoff Tooth will be the High Commissioner to Rwanda, but based in Kenya.

The naming of an envoy to Kigali comes after Rwanda joined the 54-nation Commonwealth block in November last year.

Ex-Rwanda Foreign Minister Rosemary Museminali was in Australia in July last year to dram-up support for Rwanda’s bid to join the English block in which Australia plays a central role. In return, Rwanda promised to support Australia’s bid for a seat on UN Security Council.

The new envoy Mr. Tooth will have concurrent accreditation to Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda. Mr Tooth will as well be Australia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).

Australia’s merchandise and services trade with Kenya and other East African countries is modest but growing, with increasing opportunities for the export of Australian educational services, according to the government there. 

Australian investment in East Africa’s minerals and petroleum resources industry is significant and there is much potential for further growth. There are more than 150 Australian companies with projects spread across 40 African countries. There is an estimated US$20 billion in current and prospective Australian investment in the African resources sector.

The new Rwanda diplomat has had long career in the Australian foreign service.

Rwanda has Mr Michael J Roux as its Honorary Consul-General in Australia.