Rwanda has recorded a strong economic performance in 2025, supported by continued growth in investment, tourism, exports, and ongoing reforms aimed at improving the business environment, according to the latest annual report from the Rwanda Development Board.
The report highlights sustained progress across key sectors, reflecting increasing investor confidence and the impact of long-term policy reforms.
In 2025, Rwanda registered $2.62 billion in investments across 799 projects, up from 612 projects in the previous year. As a result, the investments are expected to generate more than 38,000 jobs, with major contributions coming from real estate, manufacturing, and mining sectors.
In addition, foreign direct investment continued to strengthen. FDI inflows reached $872.9 million in 2024, representing a 21.8% increase compared to 2023. This growth points to continued confidence in Rwanda’s stable regulatory environment and investment framework.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector also delivered positive results. Tourism revenue rose to $685 million, supported by 1.49 million visitor arrivals. Growth was driven largely by gorilla trekking experiences, national parks, and expanding tourism offerings.
Similarly, the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment generated $94.7 million, supported by 165 international and regional events. These included major global gatherings such as the UCI Road World Championships 2025, as well as high-profile entertainment and sports events, further strengthening Rwanda’s position as a regional events hub.
At the same time, export performance remained stable at $3.6 billion, supported by mining, agriculture, and horticulture. In addition, services exports recorded modest growth, while air cargo volumes increased, reflecting improved trade connectivity with international markets.
Rwanda also continued to expand its global branding strategy through the “Visit Rwanda” campaign. Through this initiative, the country renewed and expanded partnerships with international sports organisations, including Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid, and leading U.S. sports franchises. These partnerships are expected to further enhance Rwanda’s global visibility and attract additional tourism and investment.
Beyond economic indicators, Rwanda maintained a strong performance in global governance and business environment rankings. The country achieved Africa’s highest score on regulatory frameworks in the World Bank B-READY report and remained among the top performers in rule of law indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, key reforms were implemented to improve service delivery and ease of doing business. These include expanded digital government services, integration of more than 400 public services into a unified platform, and enhanced real-time monitoring systems to improve efficiency and transparency.
In addition, Rwanda established the National Lottery and Gambling Commission to strengthen oversight and regulation of the gaming sector.
Commenting on the report, Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of RDB, said the results reflect continued progress in strengthening Rwanda’s economic fundamentals. He noted that reforms are focused on supporting private sector growth, improving competitiveness, and sustaining long-term development.
This report indicates that Rwanda’s economy remains on a steady growth path, driven by investment expansion, sectoral reforms, and sustained efforts to position the country as a leading destination for investment, tourism, and business in Africa.
