Wednesday, 27 May 2026
AFASU delegation visit boosts Rwanda partnerships
Kigali — A high‑level visit by a delegation from the Afro-Asian Union (AFASU) to Rwanda has drawn significant attention from officials and the public, highlighting expanding cooperation between Africa and Asia in health, education, investment and digital transformation.
The delegation was led by AFASU president Hossam Darwish and included Mohamed Tawfiq Zaqzouq and Mohamed Riyad. The visit was organized in coordination with Ambassador General Dan Munyuza and Ambassador Hanan Abdelaziz Shaheen.
AFASU said the mission aimed to advance strategic partnerships in healthcare, medical tourism, investment, education, and digital innovation.
During their stay in Kigali, the delegation held a series of high‑level meetings with government ministries and national institutions. At the Ministry of Health, officials discussed opportunities for cooperation in cardiac surgery, medical technology and modern healthcare services. The delegation also visited Rwanda Military Hospital, where commander Brig. Gen. Eugene Ngoga reviewed potential areas for medical collaboration and training, particularly in beating-heart surgery.
A visit to King Faisal Hospital — one of East Africa’s leading medical centers — included expanded talks with hospital administrators and heart surgery specialists. AFASU and the hospital agreed to establish specialized training programs for Rwandan doctors. A scientific lecture delivered by cardiac surgeon Mohamed Tawfiq Zaqzouq on off‑pump coronary artery bypass surgery drew praise from medical leaders and students.
On the economic front, Darwish met with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Rwanda Development Board to explore investment opportunities in digital transformation, sustainable tourism, food processing, technology, logistics, and small and medium enterprises. Rwandan officials expressed strong interest in expanding investment partnerships with AFASU.
In the education sector, AFASU discussed the launch of the “Afro‑Asian Electronic University,” a digital learning platform to be based in Rwanda. The initiative’s first phase includes proposed faculties in tourism, business administration and languages, designed to connect digital education with labor‑market needs. Rwandan officials welcomed the project.
The delegation also met with Egypt’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Hanan Abdelaziz Shaheen, to review the outcomes of the visit and discuss ways to enhance Egyptian‑Rwandan cooperation. Riyad proposed establishing a medical supplies factory in Rwanda using Egyptian raw materials, a project intended to support the healthcare sector and joint investment.
Darwish presented the union’s shield to Ambassador Shaheen in recognition of her efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.
AFASU praised Rwanda as a model of African success in development, stability, digital transformation, local industry support and environmental tourism. The union said the visit yielded key outcomes, including enhanced Egyptian‑Rwandan relations, new medical cooperation frameworks, specialized training programs, support for the electronic university project and discussions on future industrial and investment initiatives.
The visit underscores AFASU’s growing international role as a platform for Afro‑Asian cooperation and sustainable development.