China, the United Arab Emirates, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Netherlands and the United States accounted for 71.1% of Rwanda’s exports in the second quarter of 2026, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
Rwanda exported goods worth $548.98 million between April and June, up 58.6% from $346.04 million in the same quarter of 2025. Exports also increased 49.6% compared with the first quarter of 2026.
Nearly $390 million of the total export earnings came from goods sold to the five leading destinations.
The figures show that while Rwanda’s products reached markets across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, a large share of export earnings continued to come from a limited number of countries.
China was among Rwanda’s biggest export destinations during the quarter and also featured among the country’s five main sources of imports.
The other major sources of imports were Tanzania, India, Kenya and Uganda. Together, the five countries accounted for 60.8% of the value of Rwanda’s imports during the quarter.
Europe also recorded stronger trade with Rwanda. Exports to European Union countries increased 134.2% from the first quarter of 2026 and 39.9% compared with the second quarter of 2025.
Total Rwanda-EU trade reached $156.90 million during the quarter, up from $119.60 million in the previous quarter.
The Netherlands was among Rwanda’s five largest export destinations, although NISR did not provide a separate value for exports to the country.
The DRC was the only Great Lakes country among the five leading destinations.
Rwanda’s exports to CEPGL countries increased 36.4% year-on-year and 11.7% from the previous quarter, while total trade with the bloc reached $285 million.
