President Kagame hosts state banquet in honour of Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema

President Paul Kagame has hosted a State Banquet in honour of his visiting counterpart of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema. The event took place in the evening of Tuesday 20th June 2023 at Serena Hotel as Rwanda’s Presidency revealed.

Zambian President, Hichilema began his two-day visit to Rwanda on Tuesday. As he arrived in Kigali, Hichilema was received by President Kagame at Urugwiro Village.

Both leaders also held a tête-à-tête, discussing the strong bilateral framework of cooperation between Rwanda and Zambia.

President Hichilema arrived in Kigali on Tuesday, the 20th, to attend the Inclusive Fintech Forum.
The world’s first-ever global FinTech forum held in Kigali, has attracted over 2500 attendees from across the globe.

The primary objective of the forum, organized in partnership with the KIFC and Elevandi, a notable non-profit established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is to explore the potential and requirements for driving the digital economy. Furthermore, the forum aims to foster the implementation of sustainable Fintech strategies, with a strong focus on inclusivity.

Upon his arrival at Kigali International Airport, President Hichilema was warmly received by high-ranking Rwandan officials before proceeding to a meeting with President Kagame at Urugwiro Village.

On Wednesday 21st June, Hichilema is expected to visit Kigali Genocide Memorial to honour victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi laid to rest there.

President Hichilema’s itinerary includes visits to significant locations in Rwanda. He is scheduled to explore the innovative startup hub Norssken and tour the Africa Improved Foods (AIF) production facility at the Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ).

The AIF production facility plays a crucial role in combatting malnutrition by locally producing highly nutritious foods in a scalable and sustainable manner.

On Wednesday, President Hichilema and his delegation will engage in bilateral talks focused on enhancing the friendly relations between Rwanda and Zambia. Following the talks, the two heads of state will address members of the press, shedding light on the outcomes of their discussions.

Both leaders are also expected to deliver keynote remarks during the Leaders Session of the Inclusive Fintech Forum.

This visit to Rwanda by Hichilema follows Kagame two-day state visit to Zambia in April 2022.

During that visit, the leaders witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as mutual administrative assistance, immigration matters, health, and investment promotion.

The agreements also encompassed collaboration in agriculture, fisheries and livestock development, as well as trade and investment cooperation.

PM