Rwanda’s exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) increased by 63.9 per cent, from slightly over $951.2 million in 2023 to more than $1.55 billion (approx. Rwf2.2 trillion) in 2024, shows Rwanda Development Board’s 2024 report. The report indicates that the strong growth in sales to the UAE was key in driving Rwanda’s overall goods export performance.

The UAE remains Rwanda’s largest market abroad, with the Middle East nation accounting for 63.9 per cent of Rwanda’s goods exports in 2024, according to the report indicated.

The data implies a seven-percentage increase in UAE’s share of the country’s [formal] goods exports compared to 56.9 per cent in 2023.

Rwanda's total goods exports amounted to over $3.2 billion (approx. Rwf4.5 trillion) in 2024, meaning a rise of almost 30 per cent, given that they had generated more than $2.46 billion in 2023. According to RDB, the figure includes informal cross-border trade (ICBT). The UAE's share does not include ICBT. Read more on The New Times