Rwanda and South Korea have discussed expanding cooperation in agricultural technology, health and education as the two countries continue implementing a $1 billion development financing agreement signed in 2024.
The discussions were held Wednesday in Seoul between Mutesi Linda Rusagara, Rwanda’s Minister of State in charge of Resource Mobilization and Investment, and Moon Ji-sung, South Korea’s Deputy Minister in charge of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Rusagara is leading Rwanda’s delegation to the eighth Korea-Africa economic cooperation meeting.
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the talks focused on strengthening cooperation in the three sectors.
The discussions come two years after Rwanda and South Korea signed the $1 billion agreement to finance development projects between 2024 and 2028.
The financing is provided through South Korea’s development fund and covers areas including transport, health and education. The projects are also linked to Rwanda’s five-year government programme, known as NST2.
South Korea is among Rwanda’s development partners, with the Asian country providing $22.6 million in assistance to Rwanda in 2023.
Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Jean-Patrick Nduhungirehe has previously cited South Korea’s development experience as an example for African countries.
He said South Korea had once been a recipient of official development assistance but had since become a provider of aid to other countries.
“South Korea’s development journey is a model that Africa can learn from,” Nduhungirehe said, noting that about 50 to 60 years ago, South Korea’s economy was comparable to those of many African countries.
Rwanda and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1963. Their cooperation has since extended to agriculture, education, health technology and other areas.
