The 2nd Rwanda–Nordic and Baltic Business Forum successfully brought together more than 250 leaders from government, business, academia, international organizations, and the private sector to strengthen partnerships between Rwanda and the Nordic–Baltic region in trade, investment, innovation, health, and education.

The Forum was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda to the Nordic Countries, the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda covering the Baltic States, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and Hills Connect, with sponsorship from TradeMark Africa, and in partnership with the University of Rwanda, INES Ruhengeri, Rwanda Polytechnic, and REMODE.

Over 120 participants traveled from the Nordic and Baltic region, demonstrating the growing interest in Rwanda as a gateway for investment and innovation in Africa.

The three-day forum served as a platform for high-level dialogue, business matchmaking, and academic collaboration, reinforcing Rwanda’s position as a strategic partner for the Nordic and Baltic region.

Strengthening Rwanda–Nordic–Baltic Partnerships

The forum opened with remarks from ambassadors and institutional leaders who highlighted the deepening ties between Rwanda and the Nordic–Baltic countries.

H.E. Ambassador Diane Gashumba, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Nordic Countries, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of expanding partnerships in innovation, education, and investment. She also noted important milestones in Rwanda’s engagement with the region, including the opening of the Embassy of Denmark in Rwanda and the establishment of the Global Health Hub initiative.

The representative of the EU Delegation in Kigali, Ambassadors from Sweden, Finland, and Norway, the Danish deputy head of Mission as well as representatives from the Baltic region, highlighted strong bilateral cooperation with Rwanda and opportunities for deeper collaboration in areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and research partnerships.

In the keynote address, Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, outlined Rwanda’s competitive investment environment and opportunities across sectors, including the digital economy, agro-processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and green growth.

Dialogue on Investment, Innovation and Talent

The first day of the forum focused on investment opportunities and business collaboration, featuring a series of high-level panel discussions on:

• Positioning Rwanda as a regional investment, finance and trade hub
• Rwanda as a gateway for SME growth across Africa
• Emerging technologies, including AI and 6G collaboration
• Rwanda as a global platform for talent, skills and services trade
• Structuring capital pathways for investment in East Africa

Sector-specific business-to-business (B2B) sessions enabled Nordic-Baltic companies and Rwandan institutions to explore concrete partnerships in sectors such as life sciences, education, agro-processing, ICT, and innovation.

Among the engagements, the Founder and CEO for 6G AI Sweden met with Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the CEO of Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) to explore potential collaboration on AI infrastructure and data center investment. Companies from Latvia also held meetings with local telecommunications partners, generating new opportunities for pilot projects and collaboration.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend sessions of the Inclusive Fintech Forum, further expanding networking and investment discussions.

Advancing Health and Education Partnerships

The second day of the forum focused on health systems collaboration, research partnerships, and education innovation.

Opening the day, Hon. Yvan Butera, Minister of State for Health, highlighted Rwanda’s ambition to become a continental hub for health innovation, noting the country’s role as host of the African Medicines Agency and its commitment to strengthening partnerships that translate ideas into real solutions.

A key session titled “From Strategy to Systems: Rwanda–Nordic Health in Action – Global Health Hub” brought together representatives from leading institutions, including Aarhus University, the University of Rwanda, the University of Global Health Equity, and Jhpiego, to explore opportunities for collaboration in research, innovation, and health system strengthening.

During the session, Ambassador Diane Gashumba announced that Rwanda will host the Africa–Nordic Health Summit in 2027, further strengthening cooperation between the two regions in global health.

The program also featured presentations from Nordic universities and organizations, including Chalmers University of Technology, the University of Helsinki, Euro Nordic Funding Alliance, Laerdal Global Health, and the University of Agder, highlighting opportunities for joint research, innovation funding, and academic exchange.

Additional panel discussions explored themes such as:

• Building Africa’s bio-manufacturing and vaccine innovation ecosystem
• Strengthening public–private partnerships in higher education
• Developing digital skills and STEM education
• Leveraging academic esports and gaming for youth employment

In closing remarks, Prof. Didas Kayihura, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between Nordic-Baltic and Rwandan universities to support the development of future skills and innovation ecosystems.

Agreements and Outcomes

The forum resulted in several important partnership announcements and collaboration agreements, including:

• Cooperation agreements between Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and Rwanda Polytechnic, and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and the Catholic University of Rwanda
• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation
• Announcement of the upcoming launch of the Global Health Hub in Kigali, bringing together Aarhus University, the University of Rwanda, INES Ruhengeri, and the University of Global Health Equity

In addition, an ongoing EUR 2 million EU Twinning Project between Finland, Lithuania, and Rwanda was officially announced to strengthen Early Childhood Education systems and teacher capacity.

Innovation and Youth Engagement

Ahead of the forum, an Academic Esports & Gaming Rally held on 8 March 2026 at Petit Stade in Kigali brought together more than 100 students and young innovators to explore opportunities in digital skills and the creative economy.

Organized by the University of Agder, the University of Rwanda, INES Ruhengeri, and Rwanda Polytechnic, and supported by the Rwandan Ministry of Culture and QA Venue Solutions the rally resulted in an agreement to integrate automation, esports, and gaming courses into academic programs in Rwanda.

The forum also hosted a closed-door session under the Humanitarian Innovation Programme (HIP) of Innovation Norway, bringing together UN agencies, investors, humanitarian organizations, and Rwanda’s Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) to explore pathways for scaling humanitarian innovations from pilot projects to sustainable investments.

Cultural and Experiential Visits

On the final day, participants visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay their respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Additional visits included tours of Kigali city, Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, and Akagera National Park, as well as an academic visit to Rwanda Polytechnic , INES Ruhengeri, and Inyange Company.

A Growing Strategic Partnership

The 2nd Rwanda–Nordic and Baltic Business Forum demonstrated the growing momentum of cooperation between Rwanda and the Nordic–Baltic region. By bringing together government leaders, investors, universities, and innovators, the forum reinforced Rwanda’s role as a regional hub for business, research, and innovation in Africa.

Building on the outcomes of this edition, organizers expressed their commitment to continuing the forum as a platform for deepening investment, innovation, and knowledge partnerships between Rwanda and the Nordic–Baltic region.