Dates : 18th February 2026

Venue : Kigali Convention Centre (KCC).

Introduction

High Commission of India, Kigali, in collaboration with the Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN) Rwanda has proposed to organize a Joint Policy Dialogue on the theme “Enhancing India-Rwanda Socio-economic ties : innovations, opportunities & challenges”. The Dialogue would focus on education, economic development, technology, agriculture, and cross-cultural collaboration, leveraging data-driven insights to unlock mutual opportunities. Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and India’s VikshitBharat@2047 provide a strategic framework for deepening bilateral relations, with research as a cornerstone for informed decision-making.

Themes

1) Economic Context and Opportunities

Rwanda’s economy has shown remarkable resilience, achieving 8.5% real GDP growth in 2024, driven by agriculture (24% of GDP), services (47%), and industry (21%). India, with a GDP of $3.9 trillion in 2024, is a global leader in technology, agriculture, and education. Bilateral trade between India and Rwanda was USD 122.77 million, with Indian exports (pharmaceuticals, machinery, and vehicles) dominating at USD 102.67 million, while Rwandan exports (coffee, tea, and minerals) remain modest at USD 20.1 million. The low volume of trade highlights the need to identify bottlenecks in bilateral trade.

2) Education and Skills Development

Rwanda’s Human Capital Index ranks 160th globally, signaling a need for skilled labor to support its ambition to become a regional technology hub. India’s expertise in technical education and vocational training, exemplified by institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), can bridge this gap.

India is also the world’s second-largest education hub with home to 1000+ universities and more than 42,000 colleges offering a wide range of courses. India can be a favorable destination for higher education for Rwandan students

3) Technology and Innovation

Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City (KIC) aims to position the country as a regional ICT hub, with investments in the Rwanda Innovation Fund supporting startups. India’s thriving startup ecosystem, with over 100,000 startups and 110 unicorns as of 2024, offers collaboration potential.

4) Agriculture and Food Security

Agriculture employs 70% of Rwanda’s workforce but faces challenges like low productivity and climate risks. India’s Green Revolution 2.0, with innovations in precision agriculture and cooperatives, can enhance Rwandan agricultural resilience. ITEC training programme can be leveraged for training of Rwandan policymakers and senior officials involved in the agri-tech sectors.
5) Cultural Exchange and Understanding
Understanding Rwandan culture is vital for sustainable collaboration. Rwanda’s community-driven “Umuganda” practice and India’s “Seva” ethos share values of collective responsibility, offering a foundation for cultural synergy.

Expected Outcomes
The High-Level Policy Dialogue is expected to generate the following outcomes :

• Strengthened Bilateral Cooperation Framework
Clear recommendations for enhancing socio-economic ties between India and Rwanda, aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and India’s VikshitBharat@2047.

• Technology and Innovation Partnerships Identification of priority collaboration areas between Kigali Innovation City and India’s startup ecosystem, including joint incubation programs and knowledge-transfer initiatives.

• Agricultural Transformation Strategies Practical proposals for adapting India’s precision agriculture and cooperative models to Rwanda’s context, including pilot projects to improve productivity and climate resilience.

• Cultural Exchange Mechanisms A framework for sustained cultural collaboration leveraging Umuganda and Seva to promote mutual understanding and people-to-people ties.

• Policy Recommendations and Research Agenda A consolidated set of evidence-based policy recommendations and a joint research agenda for dissemination among government, private sector, and development partners.

• Networking and Partnerships Strengthened networks among policymakers, researchers, private sector actors, civil society, and investors to foster long-term collaboration.

Date, Venue and Participants

This event is scheduled on 18th February 2026 at Kigali Convention Centre (KCC).
It is expected to attract about 50 participants including : Senior officials from the Government of Rwanda, Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kigali ; Private sector actors, chambers of commerce, and investors ; Researchers and academics from EPRN and partner institutions and Development partners, civil society organizations, and media.
Proposed Agenda

Time	Activity	Facilitator / Lead
09:00 – 09:30	Arrival and Registration of Participants Welcome Coffee and Networking	EPRN Secretariat
09:30 – 09:45	Opening Remarks : Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN) High Commission of India to Rwanda Guest of Honour from Government of Rwanda (Ministerial Level)	—
09:45 – 10:45	High Level Panel Discussion (1) on Innovations, Opportunities, and Challenges in India–Rwanda Collaboration covering themes : Education & Skills Development Technology & Innovation Agriculture & Food Security Cultural Exchange and Understanding	Panelists & Moderator
10:45 – 11:00	Tea / Coffee Break & Networking	—
11:00 – 12:00	High Level Panel Discussion (2) on Economic and Trade Relations between India and Rwanda Interactive Q&A with participants	Panelists & Moderator
12:00 – 12:15	Closing Remarks and Way Forward : Summary of key outcomes and next steps Vote of Thanks	Rapporteur & EPRN