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Rwanda's exports reach US$386 million in August 2026 as the trade deficit narrows

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Container truck on a winding highway along a lake in the hills of Rwanda Trade and Logistics
Container truck on a winding highway along a lake in the hills of Rwanda

The goods trade deficit fell to US$255.3 million from US$287.0 million in July; the United Arab Emirates took US$108 million of exports.

Rwanda exported goods worth US$386.09 million in August 2026, up from US$339.43 million in July and US$216.89 million in August 2025, according to the monthly trade report of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).

Imports were US$641.40 million, compared with US$626.41 million in July and US$464.62 million a year earlier. The goods trade deficit narrowed to US$255.32 million from US$286.98 million in July, 11.03% lower month on month and 3.06% lower than in August 2025.

The United Arab Emirates was the largest export market at US$108.04 million, followed by China (US$58.99 million), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US$51.94 million), the Netherlands (US$16.33 million) and the United States (US$9.26 million). Re-exports rose 23.25% on July and 59.37% on August 2025.

Mineral exports have driven Rwanda's export growth this year. In the first half of 2026 merchandise exports increased 52.1% to US$1,256.5 million, while imports rose 18.9% to US$2,808.5 million, according to the National Bank of Rwanda.

NISR publishes monthly trade data with about a month's delay. The September figures and the third-quarter report are expected in the coming weeks.

Sources