On 20th of June 2025, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa presented her Letters of Credence to H.E. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), during a ceremony at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva.

During the meeting that preceded the official presentation, Ambassador Bakuramutsa conveyed greetings from the President of the Republic of Rwanda and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and inclusive global trade.

Discussions highlighted the ongoing collaboration between Rwanda and the WTO in areas such as trade facilitation, technical assistance, capacity building, and policy coordination. Rwanda is actively implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and benefits from several WTO-led initiatives aimed at strengthening developing countries’ participation in the global trading system.

Among the key pillars of Rwanda’s engagement are the WTO Chairs Programme, launched at the University of Rwanda in 2023, and the Regional Trade Policy Course for English-speaking African countries, which Rwanda will continue to host from 2025 to 2028. The WTO has also supported the placement and training of Rwandan professionals through funded internships, reinforcing national capacity on trade policy.

The Director-General welcomed Rwanda’s growing participation and reaffirmed the WTO’s commitment to supporting the country’s efforts, particularly in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional economic integration.

Established in 1995, the WTO governs international trade rules for its 166 member states, representing over 98% of global trade. Rwanda’s engagement with the WTO supports national priorities under Vision 2050 and contributes to building a stronger, more connected African trade agenda.