President Paul Kagame on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, received Dr. Regis O. N’Sonde, an Executive Director on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board who represents Rwanda and 22 other African countries.
The meeting took place at Village Urugwiro, where discussions focused on Rwanda’s economic development and its continued cooperation with the IMF.
Rwanda’s Economy Continues to Grow
The meeting comes as Rwanda’s economy continues to record strong growth. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the country’s Gross Domestic Product reached Frw 7.174 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, compared with Frw 5.799 trillion during the same quarter in 2025.
This represented a 9.4% increase in real GDP compared with the second quarter of 2025. The services sector accounted for 51% of GDP, followed by industry at 23% and agriculture at 21%.
Rwanda’s economy also grew by 9.4% in 2025, according to NISR. The IMF has acknowledged the resilience of Rwanda’s economy while noting that external risks continue to affect the economic outlook.
IMF and Rwanda Continue Cooperation
Rwanda and the IMF have maintained cooperation in areas including economic policy, public financial management, economic resilience and reforms.
The latest meeting comes after the IMF Executive Board approved a 38-month Extended Credit Facility arrangement for Rwanda in June 2026. The programme provides access to SDR 185.031 million, equivalent to US$250 million, with an immediate disbursement of about US$35.7 million.
The IMF said the program is intended to support Rwanda’s economic adjustment, manage fiscal and debt risks, sustain growth and promote private sector led development.
External Challenges Remain
The IMF has said that Rwanda’s economic outlook faces risks linked to the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, including higher international oil and fertiliser prices, inflationary pressures and external financing conditions.
The Fund projects Rwanda’s growth to moderate in 2026 amid these external pressures.
The meeting between President Kagame and Dr. N’Sonde therefore comes as Rwanda continues to pursue economic growth while working with international financial institutions to strengthen economic resilience and manage emerging challenges.
