The December outturn capped a solid year for the formal industrial sector, with average annual growth recorded at 6.5 percent. The IIP measures short-term changes in industrial output and covers mining, manufacturing, electricity, and water and waste management activities, excluding construction.
Electricity recorded the strongest growth among major sectors, rising by 13.3 percent year-on-year, reflecting increased power generation and supply. Manufacturing output grew by 5.5 percent, while water and waste management activities expanded by 8.0 percent. Mining and quarrying also posted growth of 4.8 percent over the same period.
Within manufacturing, performance was mixed across sub-sectors. Output of beverages and tobacco increased by 9.7 percent, while textiles, clothing and leather goods rose by 9.0 percent, contributing positively to overall industrial growth. Non-metallic mineral products, which include construction-related materials such as cement, also grew by 5.7 percent.
However, food processing declined by 2.0 percent in December, while production of metal products, machinery and equipment fell by 1.2 percent, partly offsetting gains in other manufacturing activities.
Manufacturing remains the dominant component of Rwanda's industrial sector, accounting for 68.1 percent of total industrial output, followed by mining and quarrying at 15.8 percent and electricity at 12.8 percent. Electricity made the largest contribution to annual industrial growth, reflecting both its strong expansion and significant sector weight.
The December 2025 figures are compiled using a newly rebased IIP series, with 2024 adopted as the new base year to better reflect structural changes in the economy. NISR noted that rebasing improves the relevance of the index by capturing the growing importance of newer and faster-expanding industries.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/business-62/article/rwanda-s-industrial-production-expands-by-8-2
