The three-day forum focuses on expanding collaboration between Rwanda and the Nordic-Baltic region across key sectors including health, education and innovation, while also promoting stronger business partnerships.

In his opening remarks of the Forum Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), highlighted the shared values and strategic priorities that form the foundation for lasting economic partnerships.

“Despite the distance, Rwanda and the Nordic and Baltic countries share a remarkable convergence of values, priorities, and ambition,” Afrika said.

“We are united by a belief in good governance, a commitment to innovation, women empowerment and gender equality, conservation, and a clear understanding that sustainable, long-term value creation is the only path to enduring prosperity. That shared perspective is the basis on which credible and lasting commercial partnerships are built.

“It is in that spirit that we gather today. This forum is not simply an occasion for discussion. It is an opportunity to advance practical cooperation, to identify concrete areas of partnership, and to lay the foundation for investments that will create value on both sides,” he added.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Sweden, Diane Gashumba welcomed the delegation from the Nordic and Baltic countries, underscoring Rwanda’s openness to investment and partnership.

“I want to take this moment to thank the delegation from the Baltic and Nordic countries. You are welcome to the Land of a Thousand Hills and a thousand opportunities,” Gashumba said.

The three-day forum, organized by the Rwandan Embassy in Sweden in partnership with the RDB, builds on the inaugural edition held last year. It includes targeted sessions to identify areas of collaboration, promote trade and investment, and strengthen sustainable economic ties between Rwanda and the Nordic-Baltic region.

The Nordic-Baltic cooperation framework (NB8) unites eight countries like Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania working together on economic integration, investment, and regional cooperation.