UAE and DRC Lead Rwanda’s Export Destinations in 2024/25

Kigali, November 27, 2025 - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) emerged as Rwanda’s top export destinations in the 2024/25 fiscal year, according to a recent report by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA).

Rwanda earned a total of Rwf 3,955.5 billion from various exports during this period. Of this, exports to the UAE accounted for Rwf 2,205.8 billion, representing 60.1% of total export earnings. The DRC followed with exports valued at Rwf 375.4 billion.

Other notable export destinations included the Netherlands (Rwf 218.8 billion), Belgium (Rwf 195 billion), Sweden (Rwf 194.9 billion), China (Rwf 144.3 billion), Luxembourg (Rwf 72.5 billion), Kenya (Rwf 59.1 billion), the United States (Rwf 53.4 billion), and Switzerland (Rwf 49.7 billion).

The RRA report highlighted the diversity of Rwanda’s exports:

Processed goods sent directly to consumers: Rwf 1,907.8 billion

Capital and raw materials: Rwf 862 billion

Processed goods requiring additional processing abroad: Rwf 33 billion

The export mix demonstrates Rwanda’s progress in industrialization and agricultural reform, with a focus on adding value to goods before export.

Rwanda’s precious metals sector, including Gasegereti, Coltan, Wolfram, and Gold, generated $1.6 billion in export earnings for 2024/25. Coffee and tea exports to countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Japan also saw significant growth.

The National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) reported that Rwanda exported 4,200 tons of avocados in 2024/25, compared to just 1,000 tons in 2019. Avocado exports reach Europe, China, India, and Arab countries, where 80% of raw avocados are consumed. Rwanda recently signed an agreement allowing exports of avocados to China, further expanding its market.

Other notable export products include industrial cooking oil, processed agricultural products such as cereal, wheat, and maize flour, and manufactured goods from household appliance and construction equipment industries. By 2024, Rwanda had:

85 large-scale agro-processing industries and 608 medium-scale industries

91 large-scale and 398 medium-scale factories producing household appliances

38 large-scale and 82 medium-scale manufacturers producing construction equipment

Rwanda aims to increase its exports by 13% annually until 2029, as part of its five-year development plan. The report shows that Rwanda’s export markets have expanded, allowing total exports to grow by 16% in 2024/25.

The government’s focus on industrialization, value addition, and diversification of agricultural products is positioning Rwanda as a competitive player in global markets.