China and Rwanda cooperation attracts Chinese investors.

By Africa China Review Reporter

Mr. Alex Yam (Ren Wenwen) left, and Mr. Francis Ruzagiliza (Right), Chief Operations Manager and Country Manager respectively, at Asia Machinery InvestmentsLimited, Kigali-Rwanda.    Photo: Africa China Review. Sept, 2, 2021. 

A few years ago it was not possible to find heavy-duty trucks being sold on the Rwanda market. Companies involved in road construction and long distance transportation would order mainly second hand trucks from other countries. Few companies and individuals could afford to purchase brand new heavy duty trucks. 

A Chinese Company, Asia Machinery Investment Limited, ventured into heavy truck investment in Rwanda close to seven years ago. Rwanda business people can now purchase trucks from Rwanda without spending more money on travel abroad. The company has on the Rwandan market construction dump trucks, heavy-duty long distance trucks and light commercial vehicles.    The availability of the trucks sold in Rwanda has driven down the costs of real estate development, road construction as well as long distance transportation. Originally the trucks available in the country were few when the demand was very high.  

“Rwanda is a very nice country different from many others in Africa. The government has provided good environment for investors and the Rwandan people are friendly. More Chinese investors will be attracted to come and open business in Rwanda,” said Mr. Alex Yam, the chief operations manager at Asia Machinery Investments Limited. 

Brand new construction dump trucks and long distance heavy trucks sold at Asia Machinery Investment Limited- Rwanda.Photo: Africa China Review. September 2, 2021. 

Apart from trucks sales, the company also offers after sales repair services at their garage in Nyarugunga on Kigali- Kayonza. Clients can also place their orders for other industrial machinery that can be imported from China.  

Rwanda being a land locked country, most of the imports and exports are transported using heavy trucks. “Originally, many trucks that operated in the import export business in Rwanda were either from Kenya or Tanzania. Today, most of the trucks are Rwandan owned, and this is a good step for Rwanda business people,” said Francis Ruzagiliza the country operations manager. He also said that Rwandan business people are now able to exports some commodities like coffee, tea and chilli to China through the ports of Mombasa or Dar-es-Salaam using heavy trucks sold by AsiaMachinery Investment Limited. 

Rwandan mechanical engineers have also has a chance to learn from their colleagues from China the skills maintenance and repair of different types of heavy trucks. “I believe Rwandan young people can also be sent to China to learn various skills provided by advanced Chinese technology in different fields,” Ruzagiriza further said.  In terms of job creation, the company employs 60 percent Rwanda staff. 

As China and Rwanda prepare to celebrate 50 years of cooperation, the managers at Asia Machinery Investment Limited, confidently believe that the good relations between the two countries will continue to grow and more Chinese businesses are expected to be attracted to invest in Rwanda. 

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