The figures show that although Rwandan products reach markets across the world, a large share of export earnings continues to depend on a relatively small number of markets.
A report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, NISR, shows that between April and June 2026, Rwanda exported goods worth $548.98 million.
The value increased by 58.6% compared with the second quarter of 2025, when exports were valued at $346.04 million.
Compared with the first quarter of 2026, exports also increased by 49.6%.
Of the $548.98 million generated from exports, goods worth nearly $390 million went to the five leading destinations.
China on Both Sides of Rwanda’s Trade
The five leading export destinations represent a diverse range of markets. Africa is represented by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Asia by China and the United Arab Emirates, Europe by the Netherlands, and North America by the United States.
China, in particular, features on both sides of Rwanda’s trade.
It is among the five largest destinations for Rwandan exports, but it is also one of the five countries from which Rwanda imported the most goods, alongside Tanzania, India, Kenya and Uganda.
Together, these five countries accounted for 60.8% of the total value of Rwanda’s imports during the second quarter of 2026.
Exports Rise Sharply, but Imports Remain Higher
The strong growth in exports is one of the most notable figures in the report.
While the value of exports increased by 58.6% year-on-year, imports increased by 28.7%.
However, Rwanda continues to spend significantly more on imported goods than it earns from exports.
During the second quarter of 2026, Rwanda imported goods worth $1.606 billion, compared with exports worth $548.98 million.
Imports accounted for 68.8% of Rwanda’s total international trade by value, while exports accounted for 23.5%.
Overall, Rwanda’s international trade reached $2.334 billion in the second quarter of 2026, representing a 34.5% increase compared with the same quarter of 2025 and a 23.3% increase compared with the first quarter of 2026.
European Markets Record Growth
NISR data shows that the value of Rwanda’s exports to European Union member states increased by 134.2% compared with the first quarter of 2026 and by 39.9% compared with the second quarter of 2025.
Total trade between Rwanda and the European Union reached $156.90 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $119.60 million in the previous quarter.
The Netherlands’ position among Rwanda’s five largest export markets is also consistent with the broader growth in trade with the European market, although the report does not provide the value of exports to the Netherlands separately.
DRC Among Rwanda’s Top Five Markets
The Democratic Republic of Congo was the only Great Lakes country among Rwanda’s five leading export markets in the report.
Overall, the value of Rwanda’s exports to countries belonging to the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) increased by 36.4% compared with the second quarter of 2025 and by 11.7% compared with the first quarter of 2026.
Total trade between Rwanda and CEPGL member states was valued at $285 million.
