Areas of Cooperation
Diplomatic Ties
Singapore and Rwanda established diplomatic relations on 18 March 2005 and have conducted a host of trade agreements since then. Visa restrictions were lifted for nationals of Singapore and Rwanda when travelling between the two countries, and the High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in Singapore was officially opened in 2008. An agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTA) was signed between the two countries in August 2014 to promote and strengthen the economic relations and provide for greater cooperation in tax matters. On 20 September 2024, the two countries signed a protocol amending the Agreement.
Singapore and Rwanda have also hosted various bilateral exchanges in recent times. Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, in January 2017, where both countries exchanged views on pertinent global and regional economic developments and reaffirmed bilateral ties. President Kagame made his second visit to Singapore in September 2015, where he held important bilateral talks with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and participated in the annual Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix race, where he also met with Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
President Kagame also met Prime Minister Lee on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) 2013 summit, where the two countries reaffirmed strong relations and close cooperation. The two countries have also shown mutual support for each other’s involvement in various international committees. In 2012, Singapore supported Rwanda’s bid to hold one of the rotating seats in the UN Security Council, and Rwanda continuously supported Singapore’s candidature at the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Trade, Investments and Development
Singapore and Rwanda have completed negotiations for a bilateral investment treaty (Mutual Protection and Promotion of Investments) and air services agreement. These agreements will be signed in October 2016.
Singapore is one of Rwanda’s largest trading partners globally, with Singaporean companies having invested approximately US$150 million in foreign direct investment in Rwanda. Rwanda’s exports to Singapore have tripled over the past three years, reaching more than S$26 million in 2016. Since 2012, five business exchanges—comprising three delegations from Singapore and two delegations from Rwanda—have taken place between the two countries. Over the past five years, at least a dozen Singaporean companies, with combined investments exceeding US$100 million, have been registered in Rwanda.
Various capacity‑building initiatives in Rwanda have been spearheaded by the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) in partnership with the Government of Rwanda. Notably, Singapore has provided advisory support for the design and implementation of the Kigali City Master Plan, aimed at strengthening Kigali’s infrastructure and advancing the city’s economic development. Singapore has also offered valuable guidance in the development of Rwanda’s aviation and technology sectors, as well as technical assistance to the Government of Rwanda in reforming the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB). In addition, the Singapore Government works closely with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to promote trade and investment, and with Rwanda Polytechnic on workforce development initiatives, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes. Cooperation further extends to civil service capacity‑building through the Singapore Cooperation Programme Training Awards (SCPTA), as well as academic exchange programmes implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and the University of Rwanda.
Tourism and Cultural Exchanges
People-to-people exchanges and tourist visits between Rwanda and Singapore have been steadily increasing since diplomatic relations were established. Singaporean companies are well on their way to investing and making their mark in Rwanda. Many Singaporeans regularly visit Rwanda for its forests, volcanoes and national parks, as well as to participate in its environmentally-conscious Mountain Gorilla trekking programs. The last decade has seen a steady increase in the number of Singaporean visitors to Rwanda, from dozens in 2010 to at least 300 in 2016.
Rwanda also participated in Singapore’s 2015 Chingay Parade as an expression of Rwanda’s heartiest congratulations to the city-state on its 50th year of Independence.
