Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan and Rwanda are considering the launch of direct maritime routes linking Karachi with key East African ports, including Djibouti and Mombasa, as part of efforts to access the East African Community’s (EAC) consumer market of around 500 million people, estimated to be worth over $300 billion.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Harerimana Fatou.
Both sides examined ways to reduce shipping costs by up to 30 percent and significantly shorten transit times through a dedicated Karachi–Djibouti shipping line to facilitate bilateral trade.
The minister said Gwadar is being positioned as a future export hub for Africa, creating new opportunities for Pakistani textiles, pharmaceuticals and agri-tech products, while facilitating imports of Rwandan tea, coffee and avocados.
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He said the initiative aligns with Pakistan’s blue economy strategy and aims to unlock trade potential under international maritime frameworks.
Junaid Chaudhry noted that Rwanda, despite being landlocked, is strategically placed to use Djibouti and Mombasa as primary gateways for trade with Pakistan. Direct maritime links, he said, would streamline Pakistani exports to East Africa while improving access for Rwandan goods to South Asian markets.
Discussions also covered the potential Karachi–Mombasa route, which could strengthen regional integration and reinforce Pakistan’s maritime role across the EAC and beyond.
Both sides explored business-to-business platforms, including the proposed Africa House, to help businesses capitalize on new trade corridors. Improved connectivity is expected to cut transit times by weeks, enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistani exports and making Rwandan produce more viable in regional markets.
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The talks were framed within key international maritime conventions, including SOLAS, MARPOL, UNCLOS and the Maritime Labour Convention, which the minister said provide uniform global standards for safe, efficient and sustainable shipping.
High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou said stronger logistics integration could unlock untapped potential in sectors such as sustainable agriculture and light manufacturing. Reliable sea links, she added, would boost Rwanda’s agricultural exports while enabling Pakistan to diversify its export base.
Junaid Chaudhry concluded that as Gwadar develops into an Africa-focused maritime hub, new sea corridors could reshape Pakistan’s maritime footprint and promote inclusive growth across the Indian Ocean region.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
