Local delegation completes trip to Rwanda, new trade mission in the works

Africa, a continent where the population is expected to nearly double to 2.5 billion people by 2050, is home to a young and entrepreneurial workforce poised to increase prosperity not only in Africa but around the world. Because of this, St. Louis views Africa as a future vibrant trade partner and recently completed a fact-finding mission in January to Kigali, Rwanda. Representatives from World Trade Center St. Louis (WTC), BioSTL, St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) and Nexus Group made the journey to Rwanda’s capital.

“Kigali has become a global symbol of resilience and innovation,” said Tim Nowak, executive director of WTC, the international division of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership). “Strategically, Kigali provides a gateway for St. Louis companies to access one of the continent’s fastest growing economies, while establishing a hub for doing business throughout Africa.”

“Following the Tutsi genocide in 1994, the people of Rwanda govern from the perspective that community is what strengthens one’s resolve for unity and progress,” stated Andwele Jolly, president and CEO of IHN. “By embracing a reconciliation process centered on community, the country evolved into a global leader in urban sustainability, healthcare innovation and inclusive economic development.”

Kigali’s robust public-private partnerships in sectors, such as technology and infrastructure, could offer valuable lessons in St. Louis, while their innovation hubs and incubators offer collaborative platforms for engagement with St. Louis’ startup ecosystem.