The government of the Republic of Rwanda and Abia state government has agreed to work together for mutual development of both governments. The agreement was reached on Wednesday May 9, 2018 at the Ministry of External Affairs Republic of Rwanda in Kigali. Leading a high powered delegation Governor Ikpeazu who was in Kigali for the 2018 Transform Africa Summit, said he had studied the impressive socioeconomic growth of the east African country with a view to adapting some of the success strategies of the Paul Kagame government to ensure that Abians enjoy dividends of democracy. Giving a brief background about Abia Governor Ikpeazu stated that Abia is one of the most economically viable states in Nigeria, with the largest concentration MSMEs in the country, Abia is a base for massive industrial and commercial activities and can feed the entire continent with various manufactured goods from her MSME centre Aba. Governor Ikpeazu promised to work with the authorities in Abuja to ensure that Nigeria become part of SMART AFRICA. He said that Abia state will benefit greatly from the single market platform being canvassed by AU due to th entrepreneurial and commercial nature of his people, the biggest assets of the state.
Earlier, the Governor extolled the sterling leadership of President Paul Kagame who has successfully rebuilt the social fabrics of the country from the ruins of genocide and position Rwanda as major technology and economic destination in east Africa. He said that his visit to the genocide memorial Centre gave him a glimpse of the immense work done by the president and his team in building a united, strong and virile nation.
On their part the government of Rwanda was led by Ambassador Olivier J.P Nduhungirehe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of Rwanda Development Board. They thanked Governor Ikpeazu for his ingenious and excellent description of the opportunities in Abia State. Ambassador Nduhungirehe said that President Kagame was leading the move to economically integrate Africa into a single market to promote intercontinental trade which will evolve into a new Africa that is united, prosperous and ease cross border trade. He said that for the past decade, President Kagame was determined to build a knowledge based economy and that led to the massive investments in technology and ICT. He stated that Rwanda government will be very keen to partner with the government and people of Abia State especially in the areas of trade, commerce, ICT, agriculture etc. He proposed an economic partnership that will be of mutual benefit for their citizens. Ambassador Nduhungirehe said that the government of Rwanda will work with their ambassador in Nigeria to schedule a visit to Abia soon.