The current trip to East Africa marks a continued effort to strengthen ties with African nations that began in 2017. Polish business interests will be showcased at events in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, with plans in place to formalize nine bilateral agreements during this tour, as announced by President Andrzej Duda ahead of departure.
Today, President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda embarked on their East African journey, visiting Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania to engage with leaders, investors, and regional partners.
During the pre-departure briefing, President Duda highlighted that the mission is part of a broader, long-standing policy to expand Poland’s connections with African countries. He traced the initiative back to 2017, when he first visited Ethiopia as part of his official duties, setting the stage for ongoing dialogue and collaboration across several sectors.
Promotion of Poland and our company
As part of promoting Poland and Polish business, the president will participate in targeted business forums and visit sites that spotlight private Polish investment. Notably, these efforts include a major investment site in Rwanda, where a tin smelter represents one of the largest private sector projects on the continent.
Andrzej Duda reiterated that nine bilateral agreements are anticipated to be signed during the visit, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding trade, investment opportunities, and collaborative ventures with East African partners.
Accompanying the president is a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Andrzej Szejna, who will oversee the implementation of these initiatives and help coordinate engagement with the African counterparts.
Development aid for African countries and development cooperation
The discussions are expected to cover Polish development assistance and cooperative efforts across multiple sectors. Priority areas include agriculture, information technology, environmental protection, fintech, tax collaboration, and capacity building in policing and security. The dialogue may also touch on potential export opportunities for Polish defense equipment, reflecting Poland’s broader role as a partner in regional stability and modernization.
Political objectives
The political aim, as the president noted, is to bear witness to the security and humanitarian dynamics in Europe’s eastern neighborhood, particularly in light of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The talks will also address the root causes of the global food crisis and the mechanisms used in information campaigns by Russia, explaining how such propaganda can undermine stable international order established after the Second World War.
The itinerary includes bilateral discussions with the presidents of Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, participation in Polish-Kenyan and Polish-Rwandan economic forums, a visit to the Kigali tin smelter—the largest investment project in Rwanda—and meetings with groups connected to Polish interests in the region.
READ MORE:
— The president is embarking on an African trip. What are the head of state’s plans? Analysis from Paprocka on promoting the Polish economy and capital
– An important perspective on President Duda’s Africa visit. The schedule features numerous appointments and meetings, with the President’s presence highlighted as significant
— A note on the president’s foreign visit. Statements from Jabłoński emphasize democracy and regional engagement
PAP/rdm
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