In 2024, Rwanda's total imports were valued at $6.5 billion, more than double the $3.1 billion recorded in 2017. This sharp rise widened the trade deficit to $2.3 billion, underscoring the challenge of narrowing the gap between imports and exports.
Fuel remains by far the largest item on Rwanda's import bill. In 2024, petroleum products worth $680 million entered the country, compared to $621 million the previous year â€" a 9.5 percent increase largely driven by rising global prices and growing domestic demand.
Rice was the second most imported commodity. Despite being widely grown in the country, imports surged to $317 million in 2024, up from $239 million the year before â€" a jump of nearly 33 percent.
According to official data, national rice demand stood at almost 597,000 tonnes, while domestic production was limited to just under 142,000 tonnes.
Farmers, however, remain optimistic about closing the gap. Jean Baptiste Bucyanayandi, president of a cooperative in Gisagara District's Cyiri Marshland, said his members cultivate more than 250 hectares, producing around 1,000 tonnes annually.
The rice is processed at Gikonko Rice Factory for the local market. With improved seed varieties that mature within four to five months, he believes Rwanda has the potential to significantly scale up its production and eventually satisfy domestic demand.
Other essential goods also continue to weigh heavily on the import ledger. Sugar imports reached $238 million in 2024, up from $192 million the previous year. Cooking oils, particularly palm oil, accounted for $207 million, though this was a decline compared to $237 million in 2023. Motor vehicle imports were valued at $108 million, slightly down from $113 million, while cement purchases rose sharply to $94 million, up from $67 million.
Fish imports also increased, reaching $92 million in 2024, compared to $70 million of the previous year. The demand for electrical cables and equipment climbed to $85 million, up from $62 million.
Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, meanwhile, registered a slight drop to $82 million from $91 million, and imports of electronic goods such as televisions and audio systems fell considerably, from $142 million in 2023 to $75 million in 2024.
Despite the reliance on these imports, Rwanda has set ambitious targets to expand exports. Government projections indicate that export revenues will more than double, rising from $3.5 billion in 2024 to $7.3 billion by 2029. At the same time, the ratio of exports to imports is expected to improve significantly, from 61 percent in 2023 to 77 percent in 2029.
Central to this plan is the Made in Rwanda policy, which aims to increase domestic manufacturing and promote local value addition. Authorities expect the value of exports to grow at an average annual rate of 13 percent, driven by investment in agro-processing, light manufacturing, and service industries.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/10-products-that-dominated-rwanda-s-import-bill-in-2024
