This growth comes amid regional instability that has begun to affect trade flows, particularly for agricultural exports.

The economy’s expansion was driven by all major sectors. The service sector contributed 52% to GDP, industry 22%, and agriculture 20%, while net direct taxes accounted for 5% of GDP. Quarterly growth showed a steady acceleration: 6.5% in Q1, 7.8% in Q2, 11.8% in Q3, and 11.2% in Q4.

Agriculture grew by 7%, with food crop production rising by 3% and export crops surging 32%, supported by a 60% increase in coffee and an 8% rise in tea production.

Industry expanded 11%, led by mining and quarrying which increased by 17%, construction activities by 11%, and manufacturing activities by 10%. Within manufacturing, cement production rose by 35%, metal products by 21%, chemicals and plastics by 24%, while textiles declined slightly by 1%.

Services grew 9%, driven by wholesale and retail trade which rose by 15%, transport activities by 7%, financial services by 7%, and information and communication services by 15%. Some subsectors saw declines, including hotels and restaurants by 2% and health services by 13%.

Rwanda's Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Yusuf Murangwa, acknowledged that the ongoing regional conflict is already affecting trade, particularly exports of vegetables and fruits.

“Some goods we normally export are blocked, while others are redirected elsewhere. This is a major concern,” he said.

The government is coordinating with traders and relevant authorities to secure alternative markets and ensure adequate petroleum supplies, aiming to prevent shortages of fuel and minimize disruption to economic activities.

“Rwanda has faced challenges before and has managed to navigate them effectively. While these disruptions are real, we do not expect major setbacks,” Dr. Murangwa added, highlighting ongoing measures to safeguard the economy over the coming months.

This performance demonstrates Rwanda’s resilience, maintaining 9.4% GDP growth despite external shocks, and underscores the country’s commitment to sustainable economic development.