Rwanda Trade Fact Sheet: A snapshot of the economy, labour market, and trade

December 13, 2024

Rwanda Trade Fact Sheet: A snapshot of the economy, labour market, and trade

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The Rwanda Trade Fact Sheet highlights Rwanda’s economy, trade, and labour force. This is a useful resource for trade unions advocating on trade issues, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Topics covered:

Key economic indicators:

GDP reached approximately US $13.31 billion in 2022.
The services sector is a major contributor to the economy, making up 46% of the GDP in 2022.
Inflation was 17.7% in 2022.
The Rwandan Franc has remained relatively stable.

Trade unions and employment:

Trade union membership was about 300,000 in 2023, with a density of 6.9%.
Women make up 40% of trade union membership.
CESTRAR is the largest trade union federation, holding a 75% share of total union membership.

International trade:

Merchandise imports exceeded exports in 2022
Services trade recorded a $5 million surplus, mainly from travel and transport.
Most trading partners were located outside of Africa. The United Arab Emirates was the top export destination, receiving 54% of exports. Imports from China reached US$1.13 billion, making up roughly 36% of Rwanda’s total imports from its five largest sources.

Trade agreements and economic Integration:

Rwanda is a member of various trade agreements, including AfCFTA, COMESA, EAC and WTO.

Special Economic Zones and Industrial Policy: Overview of SEZs, including the legal framework, incentives offered to businesses, and the role of the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda. The industrial policy aims to boost domestic production, export competitiveness, and job creation through targeted policies.

Labour migration: In 2022, Rwanda hosted 86,928 international migrants, primarily from neighbouring countries, while 492,489 citizens lived abroad.