Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema arrived in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon for a two-day state visit where he is also expected to address the inaugural FinTech forum that started on June 20.
Upon arrival, Hichilema was received by President Paul Kagame at his office, Urugwiro Village where he inspected a guard of honor before heading for a closed door meeting with his counterpart.
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President Kagame is expected to host Hichilema for a State Banquet on Tuesday night. Hichileme’s visit will also include a tête-à-tête with President Kagame, a visit at Kigali Genocide Memorial on Wednesday where he will pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He is also expected to visit the startup hub Norssken and Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) where he will tour the Africa Improved Foods (AIF) production facility, which provides a scalable and sustainable solution to malnutrition through local production of highly nutritious foods.
President Hichilema and his delegation on Wednesday will hold bilateral talks focused on strengthening the friendly relations between Rwanda and Zambia, before the two Heads of State address members of the press.
They are also expected to attend the Leaders Session of the Inclusive Fintech Forum, where they will deliver keynote remarks. Hichilema will also participate in a Fireside Chat facilitated by Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda.
His visit to Rwanda follows President Kagame’s two-day state visit to Zambia in April 2022. While in Zambia, the two leaders witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding on Mutual Administrative Assistance between Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA); on Cooperation on immigration Matters; in the field of Health and on Investment Promotion between Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The MoUs signed entailed cooperation in the field of Agriculture; on cooperation in the field of Fisheries and Livestock Development; and on Trade and Investment Cooperation.
President Hakainde gave President Kagame a tour of Victoria falls, a waterfall on the Zambezi River in Southern Africa that provides habitat for several unique species of plants and animals.