Rwanda is looking to increase exports to Oman after recording a trade relationship heavily weighted toward imports, with petroleum products making up a significant part of goods bought from the Gulf state.
Rwanda exported goods worth $4.2 million to Oman in 2025, compared with imports valued at $38 million, according to Ntawebasa Doreen, Director General in charge of Trade and Investment at MINICOM.
Rwanda’s exports included processed agricultural products such as wheat flour and dairy products, as well as tea and coffee. Imports included petroleum products and fertiliser.
The government now wants to expand the range of Rwandan products sold in Oman, with horticulture, minerals and processed agricultural goods identified as potential areas.
Ntawebasa said a trade and investment MoU signed during President Paul Kagame’s September visit to Oman could help businesses in both countries increase investment and identify areas for cooperation.
The agreement was among two agreements and six MoUs signed during the September 7-8 visit, which covered trade and investment, logistics, agriculture, labour and other areas of bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, Oman has become an important source of petroleum products for Rwanda.
Ntawebasa said OQ Trading Ltd, Oman’s state-owned petroleum trading company, supplied Rwanda with two consignments of about 40,000 tonnes each through Tanzania’s Tanga port in July and August.
A third shipment of about 40,000 tonnes was expected through Kenya’s Mombasa port in September, with each consignment comprising roughly 20,000 tonnes of petrol and 20,000 tonnes of diesel.
She said the arrangement has provided Rwanda with another route for importing petroleum products through regional ports.
The new agreements also include cooperation on logistics, inland and dry ports and supply-chain services, areas expected to support the movement and management of goods between the two countries.
