Islamabad — Rwanda on Tuesday praised Pakistan’s hospitality and expressed interest in deepening economic engagement as the High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB), hosted the Rwanda Coffee Festival 2026 in Islamabad.
The event, held at a local hotel, marked the first dedicated platform for introducing Rwanda’s premium specialty coffee to the Pakistani market. It brought together government officials, diplomats, parliamentarians, business leaders, and delegates from Rwanda to explore new avenues of bilateral trade and private-sector cooperation.
Also Read: Pakistan-Rwanda explore direct sea routes to tap East Africa’s 500m-consumer market
The festival was inaugurated by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi, alongside Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Harerimana Fatou and NAEB Chief Executive Officer Claude Bizimana.
Rwanda highlights coffee exports and African market access
Addressing the gathering, Minister Prudence Sebahizi highlighted Rwanda’s transformation into a leading producer of high-quality specialty coffee through innovation, strict quality standards, and sustainability-driven policies. He thanked Pakistan for its warm hospitality and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to expanding economic ties.
He emphasized the global reputation of Rwanda’s premium Arabica coffee, known for its quality, diverse flavor profiles, and sustainable production. The minister said Pakistan’s growing consumer base presented a strong opportunity for introducing Rwandan coffee through direct sourcing and long-term partnerships with Pakistani importers. He also noted that Rwanda’s central location in Africa provides access to a broader continental market of more than 1.2 billion people under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Pakistan welcomes trade expansion
Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan welcomed the Rwandan delegation and congratulated the Rwanda High Commission on organizing the first-ever Rwanda Coffee Festival in Pakistan. He described the initiative as an important step toward opening new channels of bilateral trade and strengthening private-sector collaboration.
The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s interest in expanding trade relations with Rwanda and highlighted opportunities for cooperation in agro-manufacturing, textiles, leather, and value-added agricultural products. He said Pakistan was keen to explore Rwanda’s market while facilitating greater access for Rwandan products, including coffee, to Pakistan, stressing the central role of the business community in making such initiatives successful.
Cultural exchange and business engagement
The festival featured a Rwandan cultural dance performance, offering participants a glimpse into the country’s cultural heritage. Five leading Rwandan coffee companies participated in the exhibition, showcasing a range of coffee varieties and engaging directly with Pakistani importers, coffee professionals, investors, and consumers.
Participants from Pakistan appreciated the quality, aroma, and distinct flavor profile of Rwandan coffee, with many noting its strong potential in Pakistan’s expanding specialty coffee market.
Today's E-Paper