Rwanda and Singapore reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties during a meeting focused on trade, investment, and broader cooperation between the EAC and ASEAN

Discussions centred on practical strategies to boost trade and investment flows, positioning both countries as strategic gateways to their respective regions. Reflecting on the engagement, Mr Tan described the exchange as productive, noting that it was a continuation of earlier discussions held in Kigali and during the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership. “It is a pleasure to continue our momentum here,” he said.

Among the key areas highlighted was progress towards potential negotiations for an EAC–Singapore Free Trade Agreement, aimed at expanding market access and facilitating closer economic integration. The two sides also discussed operationalising their implementation agreement on carbon credits, with a view to enabling greater private sector participation in emerging carbon markets.

Digital cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with both parties recognising opportunities to advance paperless trade and strengthen linkages between their respective startup ecosystems. Mr Tan emphasised that there is “There is significant potential for our companies to tap into these respective markets through upcoming business missions and exchanges,” underscoring the importance of sustained engagement.

The meeting reflected a shared commitment to building forward-looking partnerships that leverage Singapore’s role as a gateway to Asia and Rwanda’s position within Africa. Both sides expressed optimism about maintaining the positive momentum at the start of the year and translating discussions into tangible outcomes.