Brasília, August 19, 2026: A high-level Rwandan delegation led by Ministry of Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Chantal Tuyishimire is in Brazil for a five-day business mission aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, innovation and skills development.The mission, running from August 17 to 21, brings together representatives from Rwandan government institutions and the private sector for a series of engagements with Brazilian institutions, businesses and government authorities.During the mission, the delegation visited the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), where discussions focused on opportunities for cooperation in agricultural research, technology and innovation.
The Rwandan delegation also held meetings with Brazilian companies to explore business and investment opportunities in Rwanda. Discussions with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) focused on expanding trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.In addition, the delegation met with the Government of Santa Catarina State to discuss economic cooperation and investment opportunities. The engagements included business-to-business meetings between Rwandan companies and businesses from Santa Catarina.
A key outcome of the mission was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) and Fecomércio, the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of Santa Catarina. The agreement focuses on skills development and cooperation in the hospitality sector.The latest mission builds on growing economic and diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Brazil. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1981, while bilateral engagement has accelerated in recent years with the opening of diplomatic missions in both countries.Rwanda opened its embassy in Brasília in 2024, followed by the opening of Brazil’s embassy in Kigali in June 2025.
In February 2026, Rwanda and Brazil held their first-ever Rwanda-Brazil Business Forum in Kigali, which brought together more than 60 business leaders. The forum resulted in two MoUs aimed at promoting trade, investment and private-sector cooperation—one between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and ApexBrasil, and another between the Rwandan private sector and its Brazilian counterpart.
The ongoing business mission is further expanding the bilateral cooperation agenda, particularly in agriculture, investment, trade, skills development and hospitality.According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, the delegation will continue its engagements through August 21, with discussions focusing on bilateral business partnerships, investment opportunities and broader economic cooperation between Rwanda and Brazil.
