Rwanda and Pakistan Strengthen Trade Ties via Gwadar Port

Islamabad, January 30, 2026 - Rwanda and Pakistan have agreed to expand trade cooperation by using Gwadar Port as a gateway to export goods to African markets through maritime routes, following a bilateral meeting between Pakistan’s Minister for Shipping, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Rwanda’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi. Officials said that Gwadar Port will enable Pakistan to export goods efficiently to East African countries, which collectively represent a market of approximately 500 million people. New maritime routes connecting Karachi to major African ports, including Djibouti and Mombasa, are expected to reduce trade costs by 30% and shorten delivery times. The Karachi-Djibouti route is set to play a central role in operations, while the Karachi-Mombasa route will further integrate regional trade networks. Under the agreement, Pakistan plans to use Gwadar Port to export goods to East Africa and import Rwandan products such as tea, coffee, avocados, and other agricultural and livestock products. Rwanda, in turn, imports medical supplies, rice, clothing materials, and agricultural technology from Pakistan. Rwanda highlighted that expanding water transport routes will help overcome existing logistics bottlenecks by combining port access with regional land transport networks. The initiative is also expected to help Rwanda access South and Central Asian markets. The agreement aligns with Pakistan’s economic and maritime development strategy, which positions Gwadar Port as a key hub to boost trade between South Asia and East Africa.