The need for trade partnerships and bilateral relationships among Africa countries cannot be overemphasized. It is very important to the unity and overall development of the African continent; and a lack of this perhaps Africa’s greatest problems.
In leading the path for others to follow, Rwanda and Botswana have committed to strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries for the benefit of the citizens of both nations.
Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, and First Lady Jeannette Kagame two day state visit to Gaborone and Botswana at the invitation of the Botswana president, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi.
During the visit, the two leaders held bilateral talks before witnessing the signing of a general framework agreement covering the areas of trade, investment, health, tourism, mining, peace and security among others.
President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi hosted a dinner in honor of the Rwandan president and his wife, where he used the opportunity to broker bilateral ties.
Speaking after the dinner, President Kagame said that the two countries share the aspiration of improving the wellbeing and ensuring the prosperity of their citizens.
“Rwanda and Botswana share the aspiration for the wellbeing and prosperity of our peoples, and we are pleased to be here, to strengthen our friendship and bilateral cooperation,” he said.
“Our officials have been working together to strengthen our partnership in priority areas that will contribute to transforming the lives of the people of the two nations,” Kagame said, adding; “I have no doubt that we shall succeed in this important task. This is because we are both committed to delivery, transparency, accountability, and involvement of our people in their own development.”
“Rwanda and Botswana are both committed members of the African Union, and we continue to work together, as well as with other member states, to integrate and advance Africa,” he said.
As part of activities during the two-day visit, President Kagame and his wife also toured the FeedMaster Botswana Facility, a cattle feedlot in the outskirts of Gaborone where he was shown best practices in upgrading the condition of cattle before it is processed into beef exports.
This is a step in a good direction and we can only hope that other African countries follow suit.
African countries need to embrace intra-trade more than inter-trade. We need to depend on each other and hold hands as we work to position ourselves into the position we want as a continent.
Header Image credit: Village Urugwiro