Rwanda
At the 2014 East Africa Business Summit, which took place in October, Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda, spoke to the many chief executive officers who attended. The theme of the conference was Positioning East Africa for Inclusive Prosperity in 2020 and Beyond. In his talk, he focused on the idea of opening borders.
“When Rwanda and Kenya opened up, people from both sides benefited,” said President Kagame. “If Rwanda cannot fear opening up to Kenya, why should other member states fear?”
President Kagame added, “There more we pool our resources together the more we integrate.”
Cash crops and minerals top the list of exports from East Africa, including 42% of Africa’s coffee exports, 17% of its sugar exports, and 9% of its cotton exports, supplying markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Rwanda exports coffee, tea, and cocoa through neighboring countries in the East African Community (EAC). During the first half of 2014, the country’s exports approached nearly $98 million in value.
Learn more: www.eabsummit.com