President Paul Kagame has held separate meetings with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2026) in Antigua and Barbuda, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and attracting investment.
The discussions reflect Rwanda’s efforts to deepen international partnerships, promote economic cooperation and identify new opportunities for sustainable development.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Holness, Kagame discussed the longstanding cooperation between Rwanda and Jamaica, exploring ways to expand collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including health, defence and tourism.
The two leaders examined the potential to build on existing relations by strengthening cooperation in sectors that could support economic development, improve public services and create opportunities for citizens of both countries.
Kagame’s engagement with Holness also highlights Rwanda’s interest in broadening partnerships beyond traditional diplomatic relationships and developing practical cooperation with countries that share common development priorities.
In a separate meeting, Kagame held discussions with WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Rwanda’s ongoing partnership with the global trade body and the importance of strengthening regional trade and investment.
The talks centred on the role of trade in driving sustainable development, with greater regional integration and investment seen as important avenues for expanding economic opportunities.
For Rwanda, stronger engagement with the WTO and regional trading partners is particularly important in supporting market access for local businesses, encouraging investment and enabling producers to reach wider markets.
The discussions also come amid broader efforts to strengthen economic cooperation among Commonwealth member states, where trade, investment and partnerships are key priorities for accelerating development.
Through the two engagements, Rwanda is seeking to consolidate existing diplomatic relationships while advancing economic partnerships that can deliver tangible benefits in health, tourism, trade and investment.
CHOGM 2026 brings together leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss shared challenges and opportunities, strengthen cooperation and explore strategies for promoting inclusive growth and prosperity among member countries.
