Pakistan, Rwanda Plan Direct Sea Corridors for East African Markets
Pakistan and Rwanda are exploring the establishment of direct maritime corridors to enhance bilateral trade and regional connectivity with East Africa. The initiative aims to link Karachi Port with major East African ports, including Djibouti and Mombasa, to improve market access, reduce shipping costs, and accelerate logistics efficiency.
During a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Rwandan Ambassador Harerimana Fatou, both sides discussed strategies to expand trade and investment between the two nations. The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s plan to open a direct shipping line from Karachi to Djibouti would significantly shorten transit times and minimize dependency on intermediate ports, providing smoother transport connections to regional hubs like Mombasa.
P.c. Associated Press of Pakistan
Chaudhry added that Pakistan is advancing the development of Gwadar Port into a dedicated export and logistics hub for Africa, particularly East Africa. Positioned strategically along the Arabian Sea, Gwadar is expected to enhance Pakistan’s trade capacity and connect it more efficiently to global shipping lanes and Indian Ocean markets.
Highlighting Rwanda’s potential, the minister noted that the landlocked nation could use established East African ports as gateways for trade due to its strong inland transport links. Current trade between the two countries includes Rwanda exporting tea, coffee, avocados, and pulses, while Pakistan exports pharmaceuticals, textiles, tractors, electric bikes, and agricultural technologies.
The establishment of maritime corridors will lower logistics costs, improve export competitiveness, and encourage business-to-business partnerships through trade forums. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to expanding market access across the East African Community (EAC), which represents a consumer base of over 500 million people and a combined GDP exceeding $300 billion.
With growing cooperation and maritime integration, Pakistan and Rwanda are setting the stage for stronger economic relations, improved trade efficiency, and mutual growth through shared connectivity between South Asia and East Africa.