The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) is calling on Rwandan businesses to fill the import gap by increasing the number of products manufactured in Rwanda, as this is the only way to solve the problem.
Figures from the National Institute of Statistics (NISR) show that total international trade (imports and exports) reached 1,892.91 million US dollars in 2026, down from 1,995.26 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2025.
Rwanda’s Imports and Exports Decline
On the import side, Rwanda imported goods worth 1,332.21 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2026, down from 1,379.05 million US dollars in the same period of 2025, representing a decrease of 3.4%.
Exports, on the other hand, have declined even more, reaching $366.85 million in 2026, from $480.82 million in 2025, a decrease of 23.7%.
Businesses Urged to Expand Their Production
Speaking at a ceremony to reward outstanding businessmen who participated in the 29th World Expo (Expo2026) on Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Chantal Tuyishimire, urged businessmen and investors operating in Rwanda to take advantage of the opportunities they have seen at the expo to expand their capacity and scale.
He said, “When we give opportunities to those who work in Rwanda, we are reminding them of what we have as a country, but we are also reminding ourselves of the long journey we still have to continue to work. As private sector workers and Rwandans in general, it is an opportunity to remind them that there is a lot we still import, and we have a role to play in that we can all work together and reduce it. There is a lot that the whole world needs to get ours. We have a lot of our own products.”
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‘Made in Rwanda’ Goes Beyond Clothes and Food
He added, “I started with technology, then I went to plastics, and then to other things like clothes, food, and vehicles. I remind you that ‘Made in Rwanda’ is not just clothes and food, it is life. I started with hair and then I went to my feet. ‘Made in Rwanda’ could play a role, it could help me get where I am, it could help me at home like those bases we use and so on. ‘Made in Rwanda’ is everyone, and we must remember that the whole world is waiting for our products.”
Expo2026 Exhibitors Recognized for Their Work
The best exhibitors at the Expo were awarded in various categories, including Arts and Crafts, Sports and Entertainment, Transportation, Solar Energy, Made in Rwanda, Technology and Innovation, Industry, Financial Institutions, and Best Foreigner.
Another category, which is made up of many competitors, includes Irembo, ICM Rwanda Agri-Business, Johana, and Jibu Rwanda, which was the winner of the competition.
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PSF Praises Expo Participants
The President of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), François Twagirumukiza, thanked the exhibitors for showcasing their work this year, telling them that the Expo would not be possible without their participation.
He said, “The exhibition would not have been possible without the participation of various stakeholders and institutions. We are very grateful for the quality and security demonstrated during the exhibition. The Rwanda National Police and other security agencies have done a job that exceeded expectations. We are very grateful to them.”
MINICOM Calls for More Locally Manufactured Products
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) is calling on Rwandan businesses to fill the import gap by increasing the number of products manufactured in Rwanda, as this is the only way to solve the problem.
Figures from the National Institute of Statistics (NISR) show that total international trade (imports and exports) reached 1,892.91 million US dollars in 2026, down from 1,995.26 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2025.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/burundi-suspended-from-hosting-international-car-racing-competitions/
Rwanda’s Imports and Exports Decline
On the import side, Rwanda imported goods worth 1,332.21 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2026, down from 1,379.05 million US dollars in the same period of 2025, representing a decrease of 3.4%.
Exports, on the other hand, have declined even more, reaching $366.85 million in 2026, from $480.82 million in 2025, a decrease of 23.7%.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/over-650000-refugees-in-south-sudan-at-risk-of-losing-food-aid/
Businesses Urged to Expand Their Production
Speaking at a ceremony to reward outstanding businessmen who participated in the 29th World Expo (Expo2026) on Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Chantal Tuyishimire, urged businessmen and investors operating in Rwanda to take advantage of the opportunities they have seen at the expo to expand their capacity and scale.
He said, “When we give opportunities to those who work in Rwanda, we are reminding them of what we have as a country, but we are also reminding ourselves of the long journey we still have to continue to work. As private sector workers and Rwandans in general, it is an opportunity to remind them that there is a lot we still import, and we have a role to play in that we can all work together and reduce it. There is a lot that the whole world needs to get ours. We have a lot of our own products.”
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/gisagara-man-arrested-for-allegedly-killing-his-girlfriend/
‘Made in Rwanda’ Goes Beyond Clothes and Food
He added, “I started with technology, then I went to plastics, and then to other things like clothes, food, and vehicles. I remind you that ‘Made in Rwanda’ is not just clothes and food, it is life. I started with hair and then I went to my feet. ‘Made in Rwanda’ could play a role, it could help me get where I am, it could help me at home like those bases we use and so on. ‘Made in Rwanda’ is everyone, and we must remember that the whole world is waiting for our products.”
Expo2026 Exhibitors Recognized for Their Work
The best exhibitors at the Expo were awarded in various categories, including Arts and Crafts, Sports and Entertainment, Transportation, Solar Energy, Made in Rwanda, Technology and Innovation, Industry, Financial Institutions, and Best Foreigner.
Another category, which is made up of many competitors, includes Irembo, ICM Rwanda Agri-Business, Johana, and Jibu Rwanda, which was the winner of the competition.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/rwanda-and-dr-congo-review-progress-on-washington-peace-agreement/
PSF Praises Expo Participants
The President of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), François Twagirumukiza, thanked the exhibitors for showcasing their work this year, telling them that the Expo would not be possible without their participation.
He said, “The exhibition would not have been possible without the participation of various stakeholders and institutions. We are very grateful for the quality and security demonstrated during the exhibition. The Rwanda National Police and other security agencies have done a job that exceeded expectations. We are very grateful to them.”
