The government is seeking to expand trade with Oman beyond petroleum imports, with recently signed agreements expected to create new opportunities for investment and increased exports to the Gulf market. During President Paul Kagame’s September 7 visit to Oman, the two countries signed two agreements and six memoranda of understanding covering areas including trade and investment, logistics, agriculture and labour. Trade figures Doreen Ntawebasa, Director-General of Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), said trade between the two countries was already taking place before the latest agreements were signed. “In 2025, Rwanda’s exports to Oman amounted to $4.2 million and were composed of agro-processed goods including wheat brands, dairy products including milk and cream, butter and traditional exports of tea and coffee,” Ntawebasa told The New Times. Rwanda, meanwhile, imported goods worth $38 million from Oman in 2025, with petroleum products, gypsum and mineral fertilisers among the main imports. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Oman sign visa exemption deal, six MoUs Ntawebasa said the trade pattern remained broadly similar in 2026, with Rwanda continuing to import petroleum products and other goods from Oman, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, gypsum and fish. She said the recently signed agreements, particularly the memorandum of understanding on bilateral trade and investment promotion, could help deepen commercial and investment ties between the private sectors of the two countries. The agreement could also create opportunities in areas such as agro-processing and horticulture, particularly for Rwandan businesses seeking greater access to the Omani market. Oman fuel shipments Through OQ Trading Ltd, an Omani state-owned energy trading company, Rwanda has received two shipments of petroleum products, each carrying approximately 40,000 metric tonnes, through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga in July and August, Ntawebasa said. A third shipment of approximately 40,000 metric tonnes is expected in September through Kenya’s Port of Mombasa. Each shipment comprises approximately 20,000 metric tonnes of gasoline and 20,000 metric tonnes of diesel. “This arrangement has strengthened Rwanda’s petroleum supply security by establishing a structured bulk procurement mechanism, improving supply predictability and enabling greater diversification of import routes through both Tanzania and Kenya,” Ntawebasa said. ALSO READ: New petroleum deals ‘advance Rwanda’s ambitions as regional hub’ “It has also deepened bilateral trade and energy cooperation between Rwanda and Oman, positioning OQ Trading Ltd as a key strategic partner in supporting Rwanda’s petroleum requirements and enhancing the resilience of the country’s fuel supply chain,” she added. Rwanda seeks more exports Beyond petroleum trade, Ntawebasa said the agreements could help Rwanda’s private sector expand horticulture, mineral and agro-processing exports to Oman. “Rwanda’s mineral and horticulture export basket has a rapidly growing demand in the Middle East region,” she said. Products such as avocados, processed chilli, cut roses and agro-processed flours could benefit from increased access to the Omani market and, potentially, the wider Middle East. “The MoU also guides both nations in exploring potential areas of collaboration that are beneficial to both countries and specifically on Rwanda’s side in contributing to our strategic objectives of job creation and economic activity diversification,” Ntawebasa said. She added that the logistics MoU is intended to strengthen cooperation in logistics services, supply chains and freight transport, working with government institutions responsible for infrastructure, transport and logistics development. The cooperation is expected to support efforts to simplify procedures, reduce transit times and improve supply-chain efficiency, while strengthening connectivity between seaports, dry ports, airports, free zones and logistics service centres.
