Kathmandu, July 13, 2025
A new chapter in international cooperation is on the horizon as Nepal and Rwanda explore opportunities for mutual collaboration in trade, tourism, investment, and sustainable development. In a program organized in Kathmandu to mark Rwanda’s Independence Day, the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, emphasized the scope for strategic cooperation between the two developing nations.
President Dhakal noted the promising alignment between Nepal’s natural and cultural assets-such as tea, herbs, and handicrafts-and Rwanda’s growing expertise in technology, agro-processing, and tourism. He proposed avenues for bilateral collaboration including customs modernization, digital integration in business processes, and the establishment of a Nepal-Rwanda Joint Business Forum to encourage investment flows and innovation-driven growth.
Learning from Rwanda’s Developmental Success
Drawing inspiration from Rwanda’s remarkable recovery and transformation since the 1994 genocide, Dhakal underscored the lessons Nepal could learn from Rwanda’s bold reforms, strong governance, and collaborative models between the government and private sectors. He highlighted Rwanda’s ability to register new businesses within a day, its pro-business policies, and a resilient economy that has achieved consistent growth rates of 7–8% annually in recent years.
“Rwanda’s journey shows how even a small nation can achieve big goals through vision, discipline, and unity,” said Dhakal. “The success of Rwanda’s coffee and tourism industries, infrastructure expansion, and technology-driven investments can serve as an inspiration for Nepal’s path toward inclusive and green development.”
Shared Goals for Sustainable Growth
Both countries, landlocked and rich in natural beauty, share common development challenges-from infrastructure bottlenecks to climate vulnerability. Yet they also possess unique strengths that can be leveraged through south-south cooperation. For instance, Nepal’s biodiversity and traditional ecological knowledge can align with Rwanda’s digital advancement in agriculture and sustainable tourism planning.
The FNCCI President also acknowledged Rwanda’s emphasis on peace, reconciliation, and institution-building, noting that such governance strength is key to sustainable development. “The spirit of resilience and cooperation seen in Rwanda is something Nepal must embrace as we strive toward economic recovery and environmental stewardship,” he said.
Looking Ahead
This growing diplomatic and economic engagement could open up new avenues for cultural exchange, green investment, and collaborative ventures in sectors such as renewable energy, digital innovation, and organic agriculture.
As the world increasingly turns to south-south partnerships to address global development goals, the budding Nepal–Rwanda relationship offers a promising blueprint for how nations with shared aspirations can rise together—sustainably and inclusively.
