China, the United Arab Emirates, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Netherlands and the United States received goods worth 71.1% of Rwanda’s total exports in the second quarter of 2026, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
The figures show that although Rwandan products reach markets across the world, a large share of export earnings continues to depend on a relatively small number of destinations.
According to the NISR report, Rwanda exported goods worth $548.98 million between April and June 2026. This represented a 58.6% increase from the $346.04 million recorded in the second quarter of 2025.
Exports also increased by 49.6% compared with the first quarter of 2026. Of the total earnings, nearly $390 million came from goods sent to the five leading destinations.
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China Features on Both Sides of Rwanda’s Trade
The five leading destinations represent markets across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The DRC represents Africa, China and the United Arab Emirates represent Asia, the Netherlands represents Europe, and the United States represents North America.
China features prominently on both sides of Rwanda’s international trade, ranking among the five leading destinations for Rwandan exports and among the five countries supplying the most imports to Rwanda.
The other major sources of imports were Tanzania, India, Kenya and Uganda. Together, these five countries accounted for 60.8% of the total value of goods Rwanda imported in the second quarter of 2026.
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Exports Rise, but Imports Remain Higher
The increase in Rwanda’s exports was one of the notable findings in the NISR report. Export values rose by 58.6% year-on-year, while imports increased by 28.7%.
Despite the stronger export performance, Rwanda continued to import significantly more goods than it exported.
Between April and June 2026, Rwanda imported goods worth $1.606 billion, compared with exports valued at $548.98 million.
Imports accounted for 68.8% of Rwanda’s total international trade, while exports represented 23.5%.
Overall, Rwanda’s international trade reached $2.334 billion during the quarter. This represented an increase of 34.5% compared with the second quarter of 2025 and 23.3% compared with the first quarter of 2026.
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Trade With European Union Markets Expands
NISR data show that the value of Rwanda’s exports to European Union member states increased by 134.2% compared with the first quarter of 2026 and by 39.9% compared with the second quarter of 2025.
Total trade between Rwanda and the EU reached $156.90 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $119.60 million in the previous quarter.
The Netherlands’ position among Rwanda’s five largest export destinations reflects the importance of European markets to the country’s trade. However, the report does not provide a separate value for exports to the Netherlands.
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DRC Remains a Major Regional Market
The DRC was the only Great Lakes country among Rwanda’s five leading export destinations in the second quarter of 2026.
Overall, the value of Rwanda’s exports to member states of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) increased by 36.4% compared with the second quarter of 2025 and by 11.7% compared with the first quarter of 2026.
Rwanda’s total trade with CEPGL member states was valued at $285 million during the quarter, highlighting the importance of regional markets to the country’s international trade.
