Rwanda’s economy, measured by gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices, increased to Rwf6,346 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 10 per cent from Rwf5,276 billion recorded in the same period in 2025.

The growth was driven by strong performance across key sectors, with agriculture increasing by 8 per cent, industry by 13 per cent, and services by 7 per cent, according to figures announced on June 16 by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) and the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).

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The services sector remained the largest contributor to the economy, accounting for 52 per cent followed by industry at 24 per cent and agriculture at 19 per cent. Net indirect taxes accounted for 5 per cent.

"The economy grew by 11.8% in the third quarter of 2025 and 11.2% in the fourth quarter, demonstrating that it had already gained significant momentum. It is therefore not surprising that this momentum continued,” said the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa.

He noted that when an economy builds strong momentum from sustained growth, subsequent quarters are likely to maintain a similar trajectory, provided there are no major disruptions or adverse shocks.

"The first quarter covers January, February and March, while the conflict in the Middle East began toward the end of February. As a result, we do not expect its effects to be significantly reflected in the first-quarter figures,” he said.

He added that the impact of the conflict is expected to become more apparent in the second quarter, when its effects will have had more time to filter through the economy.

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Within the agriculture sector, food crop production increased by 3 per cent, while export crops recorded a strong increase of 39 per cent.

Murangwa explained that while agriculture’s share of GDP has declined, its actual value has continued to grow.

Within the industry sector, mining and quarrying rose by 20 per cent, construction increased by 11 per cent, and manufacturing expanded by 15 per cent.

Manufacturing performance was driven by strong gains in metal products, machinery and equipment, which grew by 52 per cent, and non-metallic mineral products, which increased by 57 per cent.

Other increases were recorded in chemicals, rubber and plastics, which grew by 21 per cent, and wood, paper and printing, which grew by 22 per cent, while furniture and other manufacturing activities decreased by 6 per cent.

In the services sector, wholesale and retail trade, as well as transport services, both increased by 11 per cent. Information and communication services rose by 22 per cent, financial services grew by 11 per cent, and administration and support services increased by 20 per cent.

On the other hand, some services sub-sectors recorded declines, including hotels and restaurants, which fell by 16 per cent, public administration by 1 per cent, and health services by 18 per cent.