From 12th to 15th June 2025, Rwandan exporters showcased their products at the 4th China-Africa Economic Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, Hunan Province.

The expo is the most significant exhibition within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), organized by the Central Government of the People's Republic of China.

This year’s expo was graced by the presence of African Foreign Affairs Ministers, who were in Changsha to attend the FOCAC Coordinators’ Ministerial Meeting, held from 10^th to 12^th June 2025.

The expo was held under the theme "China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization." It attracted thousands of participants from African countries and Chinese companies, placing strong emphasis on various programs for China-Africa cooperation.

Hon. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the opening ceremony of the expo alongside other African Foreign Affairs Ministers who were in Changsha for the FOCAC Coordinators’ Ministerial Meeting.

Rwandan officials led by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Rwanda’s envoy to China, Ambassador James Kimonyo, and Ms. Michelle Umurungi, Chief Investment Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), underscored the significance of CAETE in Rwanda’s development. They emphasized the role of the expo to the economic development of the country since its inception in 2019.

Speaking to the media during the expo, Hon. Olivier Nduhungirehe emphasized that Rwanda places great value on the event, noting that, it provides an opportunity to showcase Made in Rwanda export products such as coffee, tea, honey, and chili, all of which are high-quality and popular in the Chinese market. The expo also offers a platform to promote investment opportunities to Chinese investors.

Previous editions of CAETE have been highly successful, leading to the signing of numerous investment and cooperation agreements worth billions of dollars. Today, Rwandan exporters are successfully selling a variety of products in the Chinese market.

According to Ambassador Kimonyo, Chinese investments in Rwanda have been steadily increasing, and Rwanda's exports to China have also grown significantly. “We appreciate the continued support of the Chinese Government, which has contributed to the rise in investments and the growth of our exports, especially through initiatives such as the zero-tariff policy that opens the market to Rwandan and other African products,” he said.

The Ambassador added that all this progress followed, His Excellency President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Rwanda in 2018, during which the two countries signed several agreements, including one on e-commerce.

The event featured high-level meetings and forums, providing a platform for participants to engage in discussions regarding economic policies, investment opportunities, and trade cooperation.

On the sidelines of the main expo, the Embassy and Rwanda Development Board organized an investment promotion event. This event provided a platform for engaging with potential Chinese investors.

Ms. Michelle Umurungi, Chief Investment Officer at RDB, noted that Rwanda’s participation in CAETE and other exhibitions in China is part of a broader effort to continue showcasing Rwandan products, investment opportunities and tourism opportunities. She emphasized Rwanda’s strategic location, and business-friendly policies as key factors that have attracted Chinese investors. 

“We are here to build on the existing relations Rwanda has with Chinese investors and to develop new connections in investment, trade, and tourism,” she remarked. 

“Rwanda is open for tourism, and we are excited to welcome Chinese visitors to experience our rich culture, lush national parks, unique wildlife, and participate in some of the world’s most exciting sporting events,” Ms. Umurungi added.

Rwandan companies attended the expo expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to build relationships with Chinese partners, customers, and investors. Exhibitors conveyed their appreciation for the CAETE platform, which enabled them to expand their visibility and gain greater access to the Chinese market.