At RITF2026, Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Antoine Kajangwe Sees Business Opportunities Behind Every Stand
Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Antoine Kajangwe on Saturday urged businesses and visitors to view the 29th Rwanda International Trade Fair (RITF 2026) as more than a shopping destination, saying the exhibition is a platform where investment deals are struck, partnerships are forged and new business opportunities emerge.
He made the remarks during a high-level tour of the expo at the Gikondo Expo Grounds, alongside officials from the Private Sector Federation (PSF), exhibitors and development partners.
Speaking after touring exhibition stands at the Gikondo Expo Grounds, Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Antoine Kajangwe said the annual expo should be viewed as a business and investment platform rather than simply a shopping destination. The exhibition brings together entrepreneurs, manufacturers, innovators, investors and consumers from Rwanda and abroad, creating opportunities for business deals, market expansion and technology exchange.
His remarks echoed the broader objective of the 29th edition of the Rwanda International Trade Fair, organized by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), which aims to strengthen Rwanda’s position as a regional hub for trade, investment and entrepreneurship. Organizers expected the event to attract more than 500 exhibitors from over 20 countries during its 22-day run, making it the largest edition in the history of the expo.
Opening the high-level visit, PSF Chairman Stephen Ruzibiza thanked the Government of Rwanda, development partners, sponsors and security institutions for supporting the organization of the country’s biggest annual business exhibition.
“For the twenty-ninth time, the Private Sector Federation is organizing the Rwanda International Trade Fair. The support from government, different stakeholders and sponsors is indispensable and greatly appreciated,” he said.
He also praised exhibitors for improving the quality and packaging of their products, saying local enterprises are becoming increasingly competitive in both domestic and international markets.
“After the tour, we can congratulate local exhibitors for the progress made and their efforts in improving the quality of both their products and packaging for competitiveness at national and international level,” Ruzibiza noted.
The PSF chairman commended MINICOM, the Rwanda Development Board and other institutions for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the exhibition, describing the expo as a valuable learning platform where local businesses exchange ideas and experiences with international exhibitors.
According to PSF, this year’s trade fair has attracted 366 local exhibitors from across Rwanda and 121 foreign exhibitors representing countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. Ruzibiza said the international participation demonstrates confidence in Rwanda despite global economic and logistics challenges.
He further thanked immigration and customs authorities for facilitating the entry of exhibitors and exhibition goods, helping ensure the smooth organization of the event.
Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Antoine Kajangwe, who addressed participants after touring the exhibition, congratulated PSF on organizing what has become Rwanda’s premier business exhibition over nearly three decades. He stressed that the country’s economic transformation depends on innovation, technology and stronger private sector participation.
He noted that many of the products and services showcased during the exhibition reflect the direction Rwanda wants to take in building a modern, competitive and knowledge-based economy.
The annual trade fair continues to serve as a strategic platform where businesses launch products, identify distributors, negotiate commercial partnerships and explore export markets. Beyond direct sales, exhibitors use the event to connect with investors, suppliers and potential clients from across the region.
For many entrepreneurs, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, the exhibition provides visibility that would otherwise be difficult to achieve, while allowing consumers to experience innovations developed under the Made in Rwanda initiative.
As Rwanda continues implementing policies aimed at promoting industrialization, exports and private-sector-led growth, officials believe the trade fair has become an important economic driver rather than simply an annual commercial event. Government policy increasingly emphasizes expanding market access, improving product standards and creating employment through business growth.
With thousands of visitors expected over the coming weeks, the message from both government and the private sector is clear: the Rwanda International Trade Fair is no longer just a place to shop. It is where businesses meet investors, entrepreneurs discover new markets, partnerships are forged and the next generation of commercial opportunities begins.
BY: Bertrand MUNYAZIKWIYE
