Tanzania and Rwanda Agree To Expand Trade and Energy Relations

Posted on : Monday, 1st April 2024

Vincent Biruta, Rwanda's minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, and January Makamba, Tanzania's minister, pledged to strengthen bilateral relations between their two nations in a number of areas, such as infrastructure, trade, and energy.  
 

During his four-day working visit, Makamba stated that Tanzania would "continue to make it easier for Rwanda to use the port of Dar es Salam for its international trade."  

 

Approximately 80% of Rwanda's cargo imports flow via the port of Dar es Salaam.

 

Makamba stated that Tanzania would enhance the building of its road system, particularly the 92-kilometer stretch of highway that connects Rusabunga and Rusumo, in order to expedite the transportation of commodities between the two nations.

 

He said that an investigation was underway into the non-harmonised charges that truckers from Tanzania and Rwanda had brought up.

 

He urged the business sector in Rwanda to make use of the land in Kwala and Isaka that had been offered to the country.

 

"We take this responsibility very seriously that the transport corridor from Dar es Salam has to work for Rwanda very effectively," Makamba explained.

 

The Rusumo Hydropower Plant, which will generate 27MW, is being built in cooperation with Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The $340 million factory, situated on the boundaries of the three countries, is almost finished.

 

"Through this important collaboration, both Rwanda and Tanzania will respectively add 27 megawatts to their national grid, starting later this year," said Minister Biruta.