The figure combines outbound travel spending recorded in the first and second quarters of the year: $98.1 million in Q1 and $99.7 million in Q2, marking a steady rise in what Rwandans are spending on trips outside the country.
The survey is conducted jointly by NISR, the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE), drawing on interviews with returning residents at 11 border points, including Kigali International Airport.
'The results of this survey are instrumental in addressing a diverse range of tourist interests and in enhancing overall travel experiences,' the report notes.
Business travel leads the spend
Business was the dominant driver of outbound spending in Q2, accounting for 49.1% ($49.0 million) of that quarter's total import bill. Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) followed at 20.6% ($20.5 million), with education-related travel contributing 19.0% ($18.9 million). Holiday and health-related travel made up the smallest shares.
Air travel accounted for the largest portion of spending, at $76.2 million in Q2 alone, compared to $23.5 million spent by residents travelling through land borders.
By region, Europe recorded the highest spending among air travellers in Q2, at $26.0 million, followed by Asia at $17.3 million and the East African Community (EAC) at $13.1 million. Among residents travelling by land, the EAC accounted for nearly all spending, at $23.5 million, reflecting the region's proximity and frequent cross-border movement for business and family visits.
Outbound spending on a steady climb
NISR's data shows that Rwandans' spending abroad has risen consistently over recent quarters, climbing from $83.7 million in the first quarter of 2025 to $99.7 million by the second quarter of 2026, an upward trend even as global and regional travel patterns fluctuate.
Despite the rising outbound bill, Rwanda's earnings from foreign visitors continue to outpace what residents spend abroad. In Q2 alone, the country earned $161.8 million from non-resident travellers, leaving a net travel services surplus of $62.1 million for the quarter.
The estimates are derived by combining survey findings on average length of stay and average daily expenditure abroad with official traveller volumes recorded by the DGIE.
Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwandans-spent-over-rwf290-billion-abroad-in-the-first-half-of-2026/
