Promote:
Export from Rwanda
A short guide for companies selling from Rwanda: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Rwanda sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$2.22 billion
Merchandise exports were US$2.22 billion in 2025, as reported by Rwanda to UN Comtrade; the total includes re-exports.
Source: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exportsEstimate
US$1.11 billion
Services exports were US$1,108.59 million in 2025, which UNCTADstat flags as estimated.
Source: UNCTADstat, trade in services by category, Rwanda (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Gold (HS 7108)US$519.1 million
- 2. Coffee (HS 0901)US$132.3 million
- 3. Niobium, tantalum and vanadium ores (HS 2615)US$129.9 million
- 4. Petroleum oils (HS 2710)US$128.6 million
- 5. Tea (HS 0902)US$118.8 million
- 6. Palm oil (HS 1511)US$101.5 million
- 7. Tin ores (HS 2609)US$98.4 million
- 8. Tungsten ores (HS 2611)US$65.1 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Frozen fish (HS 0303)US$56 million
- 10. Rice (HS 1006)US$54.4 million
- 11. Wheat flour (HS 1101)US$46.6 million
- 12. Unwrought tin (HS 8001)US$44.6 million
- 13. Cement (HS 2523)US$41.4 million
- 14. Sugar (HS 1701)US$41 million
- 15. Beer (HS 2203)US$39.2 million
- 16. Worn clothing (HS 6309)US$25.2 million
- 17. Steel bars and rods (HS 7214)US$22.7 million
- 18. Cereal flours (HS 1102)US$19.3 million
- 19. Mineral waters and soft drinks (HS 2202)US$19.1 million
- 20. Spirits (HS 2208)US$17.8 million
- Gold (HS 7108) fell from US$1,508.3 million in 2024 to US$519.1 million in 2025, a drop of US$989.2 million that exceeds the total fall of US$820.8 million. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Re-exports were 28.3 percent of 2025 exports, and petroleum, rice, sugar and frozen fish were almost wholly re-exported. Check each line before you source locally. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Rwanda's 2025 report records no re-exports of gold, unwrought tin, or tin, tungsten, niobium-tantalum and other ores. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- Democratic Republic of the Congo39.5%
- United Arab Emirates25.7%
- China7.2%
- Luxembourg2.4%
- United States1.9%
- United Kingdom1.8%
- Uganda1.8%
- Belgium1.6%
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Arab Emirates took 65.2 percent of 2025 exports. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The United Arab Emirates took US$1,567.6 million, 51.5 percent, of 2024 exports and US$571.9 million, 25.7 percent, in 2025. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
Extractive lines (gold, niobium, tantalum and vanadium ores and petroleum oils) make up about 46% of Rwanda’s goods exports, so the totals mostly describe that trade. For another product, look at demand for your own line, market by market.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks coffee, tea and frozen fish as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Rwanda’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Worn clothing grew 62% from 2024 to 2025; mineral waters and soft drinks grew 57% from 2024 to 2025. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
The Democratic Republic of the Congo takes 39.5% of Rwanda’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.
Source: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Where the goods go
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Rwanda is listed among ratifying states, and its trade portal publishes AfCFTA tariff concessions, rules of origin and a certificate-of-origin procedure.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access, so check the importing country's tariff schedule and whether it applies the agreement.
Source: Rwanda Trade Portal, AfCFTA state parties (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
East African Community (EAC) Customs Union
Goods that meet EAC rules of origin and carry a valid certificate of origin enter partner states at 0 percent import duty, according to the revenue authority.
Domestic taxes such as VAT, excise and withholding tax still apply to goods from partner states.
Source: Rwanda Revenue Authority, EAC Customs Union (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol
The EAC Common Market Protocol, signed in 2009 and operational since July 2010, provides for free movement of people, goods, services, labor and capital, per the WTO's 2019 review.
The revenue authority notes that the Common Market does not exempt goods from domestic taxes.
Source: WTO, East African Community Trade Policy Review, 2019 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 13, 2019
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area
Rwanda takes part in the COMESA free trade area, so goods meeting COMESA origin rules can move at 0 percent duty between participating members.
Some COMESA members have not joined or have grace periods, so check your destination's status.
Source: Rwanda Trade Portal, trade agreements (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 3 more agreements
COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area
Rwanda is among the states reported to have deposited ratification, so Tripartite preferences cover trade with other ratifying states.
Rules-based preference, so check that your destination has ratified and confirm the tariff lines for your product.
Source: SADC, Tripartite Free Trade Area into force July 25, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 24, 2024
AGOA
Rwanda is on the June 2026 list, so eligible goods other than apparel enter the United States under AGOA, the United States' trade preference program for eligible African countries.
Rwanda's apparel benefits have been suspended effective July 31, 2018, and the designation list is reviewed each year.
Source: Federal Register, annual AGOA eligibility review notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme (Comprehensive Preferences)
Rwanda is listed in the Comprehensive Preferences tier for least developed countries, so goods enter the United Kingdom under that tier.
Check the product's origin rules and the tier's conditions before you quote a duty-free price.
Source: GOV.UK, preference tiers under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (opens in a new tab) · as of October 19, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Rwanda
- Register your business online with the Office of the Registrar General.Office of the Registrar GeneralOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Office of the Registrar General, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get a tax identification number from the revenue authority.Rwanda Revenue AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rwanda Revenue Authority, domestic tax services (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- If you export agricultural goods, check the board's online export services for the registration or license that applies to your product.National Agricultural Export Development BoardOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NAEB, online services (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Check whether your goods are prohibited or restricted for export under the East African Community Customs Management Act, and get any license or certificate required.Rwanda Revenue AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rwanda Trade Portal, prohibited and restricted goods (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 6 more export steps
- Request a certificate of origin from revenue authority customs for the agreement you will claim: the trade portal publishes EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA origin rules.Rwanda Revenue AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rwanda Trade Portal, rules of origin (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet product standards, and ask the standards board about product certification and the Made in Rwanda mark if you want it.Rwanda Standards BoardOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rwanda Standards Board, Made in Rwanda (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- For plants, seeds or animal products, ask the inspectorate about sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and certificates for your destination.Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: RICA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Have a licensed customs agent submit your export declaration in the Rwanda Electronic Single Window.Rwanda Revenue AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rwanda Revenue Authority, Rwanda Electronic Single Window (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Apply for duty remission if you make export goods from imported inputs and sell them outside the East African Community.Rwanda Revenue AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rwanda Trade Portal, duty remission scheme (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Receive payment in foreign currency through a licensed bank, following the central bank's foreign exchange regulation as amended in 2025.National Bank of RwandaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rwanda Regulation 89/2025 amending foreign exchange rules (opens in a new tab) · as of May 23, 2025
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with RDB, RRA and NISR. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Get advice
Investment and export promotion agency
RDB
Rwanda Development Board
Hosts the special economic zones authority and the export development and business department, which develops the National Export Strategy.
Visit RDB (opens in a new tab)Source: Rwanda Development Board, SEZAR and export facilitation (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
NISR
National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda
Publishes economic statistics, including consumer prices, national accounts and monthly formal external trade in goods.
Visit NISR (opens in a new tab)Source: NISR, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Agricultural export development board
NAEB
National Agricultural Export Development Board
Works to grow coffee, tea, horticulture and livestock export revenues and offers online export services.
Visit NAEB (opens in a new tab)Source: NAEB, overview (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get advice
Trade and industry ministry
MINICOM
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Leads trade and industry policy and issues the 2026 instructions on where industries may be established.
Visit MINICOM (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Trade and Industry, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
RRA
Rwanda Revenue Authority
Runs customs and domestic tax services, including the Rwanda Electronic Single Window and the Rwanda Trade Portal.
Visit RRA (opens in a new tab)Source: Rwanda Revenue Authority, customs services (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
National standards body
RSB
Rwanda Standards Board
Develops standards, tests products and runs certification, including the Made in Rwanda mark.
Visit RSB (opens in a new tab)Source: Rwanda Standards Board, overview (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Mining, petroleum and gas regulator
RMB
Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board
Provides licensing as the regulator of the mining sector.
Visit RMB (opens in a new tab)Source: Rwanda Mines Board, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Inspectorate, competition and consumer authority
RICA
Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority
Coordinates sanitary and phytosanitary services and seed and agrochemical quality, and is the plant protection contact listed with the IPPC.
Visit RICA (opens in a new tab)Source: RICA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Food and drugs authority
Rwanda FDA
Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority
Regulates registration, inspection and import and export of processed foods, medicines and other health products.
Visit Rwanda FDA (opens in a new tab)Source: Rwanda FDA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Agriculture and animal resources board
RAB
Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board
Implements agriculture and animal resources policy and offers online services such as animal transportation permits.
Visit RAB (opens in a new tab)Source: RAB, online services (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Private sector federation
PSF
Private Sector Federation
Represents the business community through five sectoral clusters and member associations, with advocacy and member services.
Visit PSF (opens in a new tab)Source: Private Sector Federation, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Inflation and prices
Urban consumer prices rose 17.2 percent year on year in September 2026, and the all-Rwanda index rose 20.0 percent, according to the statistics office.
What to do: Confirm current prices and the currency of your contracts before you quote.
Sources: NISR, CPI report, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); NISR, Consumer Price Index, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Export value swings
UN Comtrade shows recorded goods exports of US$2.22 billion in 2025 against US$3.04 billion in 2024, as gold fell from US$1.51 billion to US$519 million.
What to do: Check the line you sell in the product table, because the total moves with gold.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Rwanda exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
AGOA status
Rwanda is on the June 2026 AGOA list with apparel benefits suspended since July 31, 2018, and a law signed September 2, 2026 extends the program to December 31, 2028.
What to do: Confirm that your product is not apparel and check other United States tariffs before you price.
Sources: Federal Register, annual AGOA eligibility review notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab); GovInfo, H.R. 6500 bill status, Public Law 119-103 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Logistics and border performance
The revenue authority reports export clearance time of 1 day 4 hours under the single window, and its trade portal lists clearance procedures through Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports.
What to do: Allow for transit time to the sea ports and file your declaration through a licensed customs agent.
Sources: Rwanda Revenue Authority, Rwanda Electronic Single Window (opens in a new tab); Rwanda Trade Portal, list of procedures (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Rwanda project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Free to start. No card required.
Already have an account? Sign in
Promote:Rwanda is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.