The management of the cities of Kigali and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, are in the process of signing a framework of cooperation between the two cities.

The Ambassador of Ethiopia to Rwanda, Gegefe Bula Wakjira, told The New Times that discussions on the agreement are at an advanced stage.

He said the agreement intends to strengthen the working relations and mutual ties of the two countries at City administration level as well as benchmarking opportunities and interests.

Amb. Wakjira said he had held discussions with the City mayor Fidel Ndayisaba on progress on the issue.

"We want Addis Ababa to learn from Kigali and they (Kigali) could learn from us too,” the envoy said.

The agreement comes at a time when the country is building its profile to become a reputable host for international meetings, conferences and exhibitions through a marketing strategy has been designed to market the country at an international level, highlighting the availability of the infrastructure and services such as exhibition spaces and hotels.

The initiative, dubbed "Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions,” is in line with diversifying the current tourism product offering while complementing existing gorilla tourism, eco-tourism, cultural and community-based tourism products that are the mainstays of Rwanda’s economy.

Hosting global events

A Convention Bureau has since been created to the effect to get in touch with international conference organisers and centres to see how to Rwanda can host events.

The Ethiopian capital is a major host of numerous international organisations, and is United Nations third largest duty station after New York and Geneva, as well as the African Union host city.

"Almost every day, there is a conference hosted there which has caused a boom in the hospitality sector, Kigali can draw lessons and best practices in this area to add to the ongoing efforts,” Amb. Wakjira said.

He added that the city was on the right track to achieve these goals going by the rapid development in recent years.

Ndayisaba referred to the agreement that is being drafted as a formalisation of cooperation mutual ties as the two countries have had a close relationship over the years.

"Though the agreement is still being drafted, in principle, we have agreed. It will provide a formal platform to share our best practices with the Ethiopian capital in different areas,” Ndayisaba said.

The development trajectory of the two cities have similarities and challenges, hence the importance of the close cooperation, he added.

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