PM: Rwanda 'not rushing into stringent measures' amid Middle East war

Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has outlined a series of measures aimed at cushioning Rwanda’s economy from the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He said, however, the government was considering drastic measures that could cause panic among the general public. “There are already impacts on international trade, particularly in transport costs, which have started to create visible effects on prices in the global market, including petroleum and gas products,” Nsengiyumva said at a press conference held on Friday, April 3. He noted that Rwanda’s exports are likely to be affected, as some key trade routes used to ship goods abroad are facing disruptions due to the US-Israel war with Iran. ALSO READ: How could the US-Israel war on Iran affect Rwanda? “There will also be an impact on imports, because, as global prices increase, the goods we bring into the country will also become more expensive.” Globally, the crisis is expected to slow economic growth, with projections indicating a decline from 3.3 per cent to 2.7 per cent. Nsengiyumva cautioned that the effects will be felt by citizens, particularly through rising prices. “However, these challenges should not be used as an excuse for poor performance or unjustified price increases by businesses. We must avoid such behavior.” Response measures Despite the external pressures, the Premier ruled out drastic measures such as fuel rationing, opting instead for a market-based approach to manage the situation. “We have done our assessment; we have looked at the stocks that we have... and we feel like we should not rush into stringent measures such as rationing, or even reducing the number of days people go to work per week, he said. We are not panicking, and we don’t want people to panic,” the Premier said. Among the immediate interventions, the government plans to increase the frequency of fuel price reviews, currently done every two months, to allow quicker response to global market changes. “We are looking at ways of doing it more frequently, Nsengiyumva said. It can be monthly. But we also need to be flexible enough that it can be even two weeks or one week, depending on how the situation evolves.” ALSO READ: Economists warn of oil shock, urge spending cuts Authorities are also working closely with regional partners and oil marketing companies, while providing financial support such as letters of credit to ensure continued fuel supply. In addition, Nsengiyumva emphasised the need for behavioral change among citizens, particularly in reducing fuel consumption. “We encourage Rwandans to use petroleum products efficiently... reducing unnecessary travel or opting for public transport,” he said, pointing to efforts to enhance public transport services through the state-owned bus company EcoFleet Solutions. The government is also promoting long-term strategies, he added, including investment in renewable energy and diversifying fuel import sources, as Rwanda currently relies heavily on supplies from the Middle East. Beyond energy, the Prime Minister called on citizens and businesses to support local production as a way to reduce vulnerability to external shocks. “We encourage citizens to support ‘Made in Rwanda’ and increase agricultural and livestock production,” he added. Economic outlook Despite global uncertainties, Nsengiyumva said there’s confidence in Rwanda’s economic resilience, citing strong recent growth performance. The economy grew by 9.4 per cent in 2025, surpassing earlier projections. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised Rwanda’s growth forecast from 7.2 per cent to 6.8 per cent. ALSO READ: IMF cuts Rwanda’s growth forecast to 6.8% amid Middle East conflict “This is well above the global average and is another indication of how they see Rwanda in terms of economic management, in terms of consistency and in terms of resilience of our economy,” he added. The Premier stressed that while Rwanda cannot control global events, collective action will be key to navigating the challenges ahead. “The resilience of our economy depends on our collective effort... we must all prepare and respond appropriately.” The government, he added, will continue to monitor developments and take necessary steps to safeguard economic stability and protect citizens’ welfare.

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PM: Rwanda 'not rushing into stringent measures' amid Middle East war