Kagame hosts Mozambique's Chapo

Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday for a two-day working visit. Security, trade and violent extremism are expected to feature in his bilateral talks with Paul Kagame.

Rwanda and Mozambique have a bilateral agreement under which Rwandan forces have been deployed to the troubled Cabo Delgado province to combat an insurgency that has plagued the region for several years.

President Chapo is also expected to visit Rwanda’s key industries and meet members of the country’s private sector.

President Kagame described extremism as “a growing threat to our people and development”.

“As Africans, we need to own and confront this problem as one,” the Rwanda leader said.

The two presidents last met in Addis Ababa at the beginning of the year on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, where they discussed bilateral relations and ways to deepen cooperation.

President Chapo thanked the Rwandan forces “who are helping our nation to combat terrorism in the province of Cabo Delgado”.

“I pay homage to the men and women of Rwanda who, alongside the Mozambique forces, have been fighting the terrorists -- the enemies of peace, stability, development and the wellbeing of the Mozambican people,” he said.

Although modest in scale, trade between Rwanda and Mozambique has been growing, with Mozambique exporting more in 2023, primarily large construction vehicles, cars, and surveying equipment.

Meanwhile, Rwanda's exports to Mozambique are increasing and include low-voltage protection equipment, insulated wire and batteries.

Both countries are strengthening economic ties through bilateral agreements and business missions to encourage collaboration between the private sectors.

The suspension of tourist visas has facilitated movement between the two countries.

According to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Rwanda exported goods worth $186,000 to Mozambique in 2023. Over the past five years, exports from Rwanda to Mozambique have grown at an annualised rate of 1.49 percent, rising from $173,000 in 2018 to $186,000 in 2023.

In 2023, Rwanda recorded exports totalling $1.35 billion, ranking 153rd globally. By contrast, Mozambique achieved export volumes of $11.8 billion, ranking 97th globally.