The evolution of Egyptian-Rwandan relations
Egypt always looks forward to building serious relations based on fruitful cooperation in various fields with African countries such as Rwanda, which has had ties with Egypt for more than 40 years, besides being both of the Nile Basin countries.
By meeting their development needs, especially in the infrastructure, health, and education sectors, by maximizing the investments of the Egyptian companies involved, and by increasing technical support to African cadres to build their capacities.
Glimpses of Egyptian cooperation with Rwanda
Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Foundation’s heart centre in Kigali, Rwanda
The stone-laying ceremony was held in December 2021, attended by the First Lady of Rwanda, H.E. Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, Eng. Samih Sawiris, and Rwandan and Egyptian officials.
This event marks the development of an important heart research hub in Rwanda, which will be named the MY Heart Centre. The complex built by Orascom Construction will include a research wing, clinics, operation theatres, radiology rooms, laboratories, pharmacies, accommodation, and an administration block.
The Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development (EAPD)
EAPD was established in July 2014 by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi as the first South-South cooperation institution in Egypt. The EAPD is meant to put the country’s advantages and technical expertise into play for the benefit of the South, especially Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Egyptian foreign ministry will fund the process of purchasing and equipping the centre’s first phase through the EAPD.
Elsewedy Electric ⚡
A high-level Rwandan delegation visited The Knowledge Hub University (TKH) in December 2020 to discuss means of cooperation in the higher education sector in Rwanda and met with Elsewedy Electric’s East Africa Director, Ibrahim Qamar, where they were introduced to the concept behind the Knowledge Hub Universities affiliated to El Sewedy Education in the New Administrative Capital. The two sides also discussed the potential of Elsewedy Electric’s expansion in Africa.
A closer look at Elsewedy Electric ⚡
Founded in 1938 by Elsewedy family, the company has since been Egypt’s sole cable manufacturer. It expanded by providing more products and services and exporting products to more than 23 countries, including Rwanda. Currently, the company has 30 production facilities located in 14 countries and exports its products to more than 110 countries worldwide.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona
The Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, has met with his Rwandan counterpart, Paula Ingabire, to discuss fostering cooperation in ICT areas, including digital transformation, innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.
Talaat has reviewed the initiatives of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to prepare digital professionals in various technology fields. He stated that the Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) has been established to create a generation of informatics experts. During the meeting, the ICT Minister discussed inviting Rwandan students to study at the EUI.
The Commonwealth Summit in Kigali
As a part of strengthening economic, political and cooperation relations, Parliament Deputy Speaker Mohamed Abou El-Enein met with Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of Rwanda Development, co-organizer of the Commonwealth Business Forum on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Summit in Kigali.
The Egyptian-Rwandan Business Forum
As a part of the Egyptian-Rwandan Business Forum, the Rwandan economic delegation’s visit followed talks between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Cairo, where the political leadership in both countries agreed to boost economic cooperation through the signing of several memorandums of understanding in many economic fields.
The Forum is organized by the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) with a high-level Rwandan delegation attending, including several Rwandan companies working in different economic activities.
