The commitment was made on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during a ceremony at M Hotel in Kigali that also marked the launch of the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report of Chinese Enterprises in Rwanda and the inaugural artificial intelligence lecture under the Luban Classroom programme.
The event brought together representatives of Chinese and Rwandan businesses, government institutions and other stakeholders to discuss responsible investment, sustainable mining, corporate social responsibility, skills development and technology.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said responsible business practices are essential to building lasting cooperation between Chinese companies and their host communities.
'As a responsible major developing country, the Chinese government is committed to guiding Chinese enterprises to comply with the laws and regulations of China and host countries, to regulate business conduct, maintain sound market order, promote industry self-discipline and continuously improve social and environmental performance,' Gao said.
He said responsible business conduct should not be viewed solely as a government requirement but also as a foundation for trust, quality and long-term partnerships.
'This is not only a policy requirement, but also a foundation of trust, quality and long-term cooperation,' he added.
Gao highlighted the contribution of Chinese enterprises to Rwanda's economic and social development through job creation, skills transfer and investment across different sectors.
'In Rwanda, Chinese enterprises have been working hard, creating jobs, transferring skills, contributing to economic and social development,' he said.
Report highlights contribution of Chinese firms
The 2026 Social Responsibility Report of Chinese Enterprises in Rwanda, published as Rwanda and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, documents the contribution of Chinese companies to infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare, community welfare and environmental protection.
The report details that China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which has operated in Rwanda for 52 years, has completed more than 90 projects and constructed about 1,500 kilometres of roads. The report says CRBC has created more than 500,000 jobs for Rwandans over its 52 years of operations in the country.
The Kivu Belt Road project alone employed 1,500 local workers, while PowerChina's Nyabarongo II hydropower project provided 1,064 local jobs.
In manufacturing, C&D Garment employs more than 6,000 local workers, with women accounting for 80% of its workforce. Average wages at the company are reported to be more than 20% above Rwanda's statutory minimum wage.
The report also points to investments in healthcare. The expanded Masaka Hospital, constructed by Shanghai Construction Group, has 837 beds and is reported to serve more than 300,000 residents.
Meanwhile, a traditional Chinese medicine programme run by the China Medical Team at Masaka and Kibagabaga hospitals recorded 14,913 patient visits as of July.
Education and skills development are also highlighted. Huawei's DigiTruck programme trained 1,836 people over the past 12 months, while Forever TVET has trained more than 2,500 graduates.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda is reported to have reached nearly 30,000 learners through 14 teaching sites over 17 years.
The report also documents community support and emergency response by Chinese enterprises. CRBC says it cleared 48 kilometres of disaster relief roads within 30 hours during the 2025 floods in Rwanda's Western Province.
Environmental initiatives highlighted in the report include 1,500 hectares of planted bamboo forests out of a 2,129-hectare concession, as well as a 44.28 kWp solar photovoltaic energy-storage system at Forever TVET.
The report presents corporate social responsibility as part of Chinese enterprises' broader operations in Rwanda, with future priorities including infrastructure, education and culture, healthcare, employment, community welfare and green development.
Mining initiative
The mineral resources initiative signed during Thursday's ceremony outlines principles aimed at promoting responsible business conduct in Rwanda's mining sector.
They include compliance with laws and national policies, business ethics and fair competition, engagement with local communities, protection of workers' rights, responsible procurement, environmental protection and transparent communication.
Gao encouraged Chinese enterprises to strengthen engagement with local communities and Rwandan partners.
'We encourage Chinese enterprises to listen to local communities, work with Rwandan partners and turn responsibility into concrete action,' he said.
The Acting CEO of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), Callixte Kanamugire, said Rwanda's mining sector has significant potential but must be developed responsibly to create lasting value for the country.
'The private sector must ensure that mineral development creates lasting value for Rwanda through local processing, employment creation, skills development and stronger participation of Rwandan businesses in the supply chain,' he said.
He welcomed the commitment by participating companies to comply with laws and regulations, protect the environment, safeguard occupational health and safety, respect local communities, and promote transparency and sustainable mining practices.
Rwanda is the first country outside China where Chinese mining enterprises have collectively responded to the initiative, following its launch at the China Mining Conference and Exhibition in Tianjin on September 10, 2026.
Kanamugire called for deeper cooperation in responsible investment, stronger partnerships between Chinese and Rwandan businesses through local procurement, subcontracting and technology transfer, and greater investment in professional training and technical education.
He said responsible business should go beyond charitable donations to include decent employment, workers' rights, workplace safety, environmental protection, local sourcing and knowledge transfer.
AI skills development
The ceremony also featured the inaugural artificial intelligence lecture of the Luban Classroom programme, which focuses on knowledge sharing, skills development and practical cooperation between China and Rwanda.
Kanamugire said AI and digital technology are transforming the global economy, making cooperation in education and skills development increasingly important.
He said Rwanda has placed innovation, technology and human capital at the centre of its development agenda, and encouraged institutions and companies involved in the Luban Classroom to ensure its training remains connected to labour-market needs.
The Luban Classroom was initiated by the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda and is organised and implemented by the China Chamber of Commerce in Rwanda.
55 years of diplomatic ties
The event formed part of activities marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China.
Gao said China remains committed to supporting Rwanda's development ambitions through continued cooperation.
'This year marks the 55th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, so I have every reason to believe that our bilateral relations have entered the best period in history. Rwanda and China are good friends and we are comprehensive strategic partners,' he said.
He added that China is ready to work with Rwanda to implement outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and support Rwanda's development goals.
A delegation representing 15 Chinese enterprises is visiting Rwanda from September 15 to 20 as part of the activities. The delegation includes Diao Chunhe, Executive Chairman of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities, and Xin Xiuming, Vice President of the China International Contractors Association.
The ceremony concluded with renewed commitments to responsible mineral-resource cooperation, stronger corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, skills development and technology partnerships between Rwanda and China.
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