Islamabad — Pakistan and Rwanda are exploring the establishment of direct maritime routes from Karachi to key East African ports, including Djibouti and Mombasa, to enhance bilateral trade and gain access to the East African Community’s (EAC) consumer market of more than 500 million people, valued at over $300 billion.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Harerimana Fatou, officials said.
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Shipping costs, transit time, and trade facilitation
According to the minister, a potential Karachi–Djibouti shipping line could reduce shipping costs by up to 30 percent while significantly cutting transit times, providing a major boost to Pakistan–Rwanda trade. Discussions also covered the feasibility of a Karachi–Mombasa route to further strengthen regional connectivity across East Africa.
Junaid Chaudhry said Gwadar is being developed as a future export hub for African markets, creating opportunities for Pakistani exports such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agri-tech products, while facilitating imports of Rwandan tea, coffee, and avocados.
Strategic positioning and regional integration
The minister noted that although Rwanda is landlocked, its strategic access to ports in Djibouti and Mombasa positions it well for enhanced trade with Pakistan. Direct maritime connectivity, he said, would streamline Pakistani exports to East Africa while improving South Asian market access for Rwandan goods.
The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader blue economy strategy and seeks to unlock trade potential under international maritime frameworks, including SOLAS, MARPOL, UNCLOS, and the Maritime Labour Convention.
Business engagement and future outlook
Both sides also discussed business-to-business platforms, including the proposed Africa House, aimed at helping private sector stakeholders leverage emerging trade corridors. Improved connectivity is expected to reduce transit times by weeks, enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistani exports and making Rwandan agricultural produce more viable in regional markets.
High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou said stronger logistics integration could unlock untapped potential in sectors such as sustainable agriculture and light manufacturing. She added that reliable sea routes would support Rwanda’s export growth while enabling Pakistan to diversify its export base.
Concluding the talks, Junaid Chaudhry said that as Gwadar evolves into an Africa-focused maritime hub, new sea corridors could reshape Pakistan’s maritime footprint and support inclusive economic growth across the Indian Ocean region.
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