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Rwanda's domestic exports rise 58.7% in the second quarter of 2026

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Shipping containers stacked at an inland container depot near Kigali Trade and Logistics
Shipping containers stacked at an inland container depot near Kigali

Exports reached US$549 million and imports US$1,606 million, giving a goods trade deficit of US$877.8 million; China was the largest export market.

Rwanda's total formal trade in goods was US$2,334.96 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 23.35% from the first quarter, according to the quarterly trade report of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).

Domestic exports were US$548.98 million, up 58.65% from US$346.04 million in the second quarter of 2025. Imports rose 28.78% year on year to US$1,606.39 million, and re-exports increased 26.11% to US$179.59 million. The trade deficit in goods was US$877.81 million, compared with US$758.94 million a year earlier.

China was the largest destination for Rwandan exports at US$142.38 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates (US$107.96 million), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US$89.51 million), the Netherlands (US$26.50 million) and the United States (US$24.22 million).

The National Bank of Rwanda attributed the export growth mainly to minerals, helped by favourable global prices, with non-traditional exports such as processed cooking oil, cement and wheat flour up 39.4%. Imports were driven by food products including crude cooking oil and rice, construction materials, medical equipment and IT equipment.

For exporters, the figures show demand concentrated in Asia, the Gulf and the region. The Trade and Exports fact sheet on this site summarises Rwanda's main export products and markets.

Sources