The report shows that the formal industrial sector also posted an annual average growth rate of 6.3 per cent, signalling sustained momentum despite month-to-month fluctuations in some activities.
Growth in November was driven largely by the electricity sector, which expanded by 14.1 per cent year-on-year, making it the biggest contributor to overall industrial growth. Electricity alone accounted for 2.8 percentage points of the annual increase, reflecting rising demand from households, businesses and industry.
The manufacturing sector, which carries the largest weight in the index at 68.1 per cent, grew by 4.9 per cent compared to November 2024. Within manufacturing, output gains were supported by a 2.6 per cent increase in chemicals, rubber and plastic products, as well as a 1.8 per cent growth in beverages and tobacco production.
However, the report highlights uneven performance across manufacturing sub-sectors. Textiles, clothing and leather goods contracted by 7.5 per cent, while wood and paper products, including printing, declined by 6.0 per cent, pointing to continued pressure in some traditional industries.
Mining and quarrying recorded a 4.1 per cent year-on-year increase, maintaining positive growth despite volatility in monthly output. Meanwhile, water and waste management activities expanded by 6.6 per cent, reflecting steady growth in urban services and environmental management.
The November figures are published using a new 2024 base year, following a rebasing exercise by NISR aimed at better reflecting Rwanda's evolving economic structure. The rebasing captures the rapid expansion of manufacturing, utilities and other industrial activities over recent years, and aligns the index with international statistical best practice.
NISR noted that the IIP focuses on formal sector activity and excludes construction due to data limitations, but remains a key short-term indicator for tracking industrial trends and complementing quarterly GDP estimates.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-records-10-3-growth-in-industrial-output
