In mid-2025, at least 73 applications were received for 10 mining blocks, underscoring growing enthusiasm for the country’s mineral resources.
The new blocks are available for field visits from February 16 to 20, 2026. Interested investors must submit signed applications by March 3 through the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB).
“From our previous experience, competition was intense. We hope to see even more investors this time,” said Alice Uwase, CEO of RMB.
The newly available blocks include Bihembe, Rubiha, Musenyi, Nyamyumba–Kivumu, Shyorongi & Binyeri, Kanama, Minazi, Bushekeri–Rangiro, and Kabagari–Kinihira. Four of the blocks have been explored previously and are considered highly promising, targeting tin, tantalum, tungsten, beryllium, and lithium. Four others are earmarked for fresh exploration focusing on the 3Ts, while two blocks are dedicated to gemstones, including sapphires.
RMB emphasised that technical expertise and local capacity remain key for successful bids.
“Finances alone are not enough—you need the right people and equipment on the ground. This is what we assess first,” Uwase said, urging investors to consider joint ventures to strengthen compliance and operational capacity.
Each block offers unique opportunities: Binyeri and Musenyi show strong potential for lithium, beryllium, cassiterite, and columbite-tantalite. Rubiha and Minazi are rich in tin and tantalum, with Minazi also featuring gemstones and gold.
Shyorongi and Bihembe are linked to rare metals, including niobium and tungsten, while Bushekeri–Rangiro and Kanama are focused on gemstones such as sapphire, ruby, and tourmaline.
By promoting exploration and investment in these new blocks, Rwanda aims to attract a broader pool of investors, foster technical partnerships, and accelerate growth in its mining sector, moving closer to its goals for increased mineral production and export revenue.
In mid-2025, at least 73 applications were received for 10 mining blocks, underscoring growing enthusiasm for the country’s mineral resources.
Over the years, BRALIRWA’s involvement in Tour du Rwanda has evolved beyond sponsorship, becoming an integral part of the race’s identity and fan experience.
For the 2026 edition, scheduled to take place from February 22 to March 1, the leading beverage company will participate through its premium beer brand Amstel, which has long been a Gold Sponsor of the race for several consecutive years.
Celebrating performance and authenticity
At the heart of BRALIRWA’s Tour du Rwanda engagement is Amstel 100% PURE MALT, a brand whose values of authenticity, craftsmanship, and consistency align naturally with the discipline and endurance of professional cycling.
As part of its sponsorship, Amstel will once again award the daily stage winners, a tradition that has become a defining moment of each racing day, celebrating excellence, resilience, and achievement on Rwanda’s demanding routes.
Beyond the competitive aspect, BRALIRWA continues to elevate the Tour du Rwanda experience for fans by hosting After-Race Experiences at stage finishes. These moments bring spectators together to celebrate the day’s racing, reinforcing Tour du Rwanda as not just a sporting competition, but a shared national celebration.
Bringing fans closer
In line with its commitment to shared moments and friendship, BRALIRWA, through Amstel, will actively participate in the Tour du Rwanda Social Ride, a unique experience allowing cycling enthusiasts to ride selected race routes ahead of the professional peloton.
The Social Rides will take place on February 26 and March 1, 2026, with participants standing a chance to win exciting rewards. Across the two rides, four sports bicycles—two per ride—will be given away, alongside branded goodies and prizes, making the experience both inclusive and rewarding for cycling fans across the country.
BRALIRWA’s presence will further extend to the Tour du Rwanda Festivals, which will be hosted in four locations nationwide, including: Kigali, Huye, Rubavu, and Musanze.
At each festival stop, Amstel will add to the excitement by giving away one sports bicycle per festival, reinforcing its support for grassroots cycling enthusiasm while celebrating the diverse communities that make Tour du Rwanda a truly national event.
Responsible celebration at the core
As a leading beverage company, BRALIRWA has stated that all Amstel activities during the upcoming Tour du Rwanda 2026 will follow regulatory requirements and responsible drinking guidelines.
Alcoholic beverages will not be sold to persons under 18 or to pregnant women. The company also emphasizes the messages “Drink Responsibly” and “Don’t Drink and Drive,” highlighting its commitment to public safety and responsible consumption.
BRALIRWA’s partnership with Tour du Rwanda continues to blend world-class cycling, fan engagement, and responsible brand leadership, cementing Tour du Rwanda as a celebration that extends far beyond the race itself.
As part of its sponsorship, Amstel will once again award the daily stage winners. BRALIRWA, through Amstel, will actively participate in the Tour du Rwanda Social Ride, a unique experience allowing cycling enthusiasts to ride selected race routes ahead of the professional peloton.
Launched on the sidelines of the 39th AU Summit in Addis Ababa on Thursday, February 12, the platforms, BiasharaLink and Deal House, seek to close what officials described as Africa’s long-standing “execution gap,” where trade opportunities are identified but rarely converted into completed transactions.
The initiative, spearheaded by Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in partnership with Real Sources Africa and Equity Group Holdings, positions diplomatic missions as structured commercial pipelines rather than traditional liaison offices.
{{Turning diplomacy into delivery
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Speaking at the launch, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, said the platforms introduce a new model of economic diplomacy anchored in systems, accountability and measurable outcomes.
“BiasharaLink and Deal House represent a new model of economic diplomacy; one that is results-oriented,” Mudavadi said. “It provides a common platform for capturing and organising opportunity. It connects opportunity to execution. Together, the platforms turn diplomacy into delivery.”
Mudavadi noted that while Africa has made significant progress in negotiating trade frameworks, including the AfCFTA, traders and investors still face stalled transactions, fragmented information and weak follow-through.
“This is not a question of political will or commitment,” he said. “It is a failure of systems.”
The new platforms aim to institutionalise how embassies capture, track and convert trade and investment leads, ensuring continuity beyond individual diplomatic postings and creating a structured pipeline from inquiry to execution.
{{Closing the trade execution gap
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According to Real Sources Africa founder and CEO, Felix Chege, Kenyan embassies collect an average of 3,500 trade inquiries per month, yet fewer than one percent historically translate into closed deals.
“Our embassies are centres of trust,” Chege said. “But they lacked the infrastructure to transmit inquiries to the right businesses and execute them efficiently.”
BiasharaLink functions as the intake and structuring layer, enabling diplomatic missions, exporters and investors to digitally capture, validate and monitor trade leads. It distinguishes between exploratory inquiries and transaction-ready buyers, supported by due diligence processes and “deal stewards” trained to guide transactions.
Deal House serves as the execution engine, where validated opportunities are matched with counterparties, supported with documentation, and connected to payment and financing solutions. The system integrates escrow mechanisms and trade finance tools to reduce risk for both buyers and sellers.
Chege described the model as “capture, validate and close,” adding that the goal is to build a continental infrastructure leveraging embassy credibility to drive trade, investment and financing.
{{Finance as the lubrication layer
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James Mwangi, Group CEO of Equity Group Holdings, framed the initiative as a bridge between policy ambition and commercial reality.
“For years, Africa has had policy frameworks without flow of goods and services,” Mwangi said. “What we are witnessing is a partnership between government and private sector to create an infrastructure that enables people to walk, ride and drive on a trade superhighway.”
He described the platform as “visa-free,” compressing time and distance by connecting buyers and sellers digitally, while reducing reliance on costly physical travel and fragmented networks.
Equity will provide the financing layer, including trade finance, guarantees and payment solutions, to ensure that structured deals become bankable transactions.
“It’s not enough to have a pipeline,” Mwangi said. “You must lubricate the platform by having finance accessible.”
He added that the platform creates equal access for SMEs, women and youth entrepreneurs, reducing gatekeeping and embedding trust through government-backed verification via diplomatic missions.
{{AfCFTA enters implementation phase
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The launch comes as the AfCFTA Secretariat prepares for the adoption of remaining legal instruments under the trade pact.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene said the agreement now provides the regulatory certainty needed to unlock intra-African trade, but warned that execution remains the central challenge.
“In a world moving toward fragmentation and protectionism, Africa is moving in the opposite direction,” Mene said. “We have no alternative but to succeed; we have to build a very strong domestic market.”
He highlighted the AfCFTA’s protocols on digital trade and on women and youth in trade as forward-looking instruments that align with Kenya’s digital approach.
With a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, Mene said the opportunity is unprecedented, but only if SMEs and young entrepreneurs can access structured trade systems.
The initiative has also received backing from development partners supporting AfCFTA implementation. Mathias Kamp, Regional Director of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, said the launch marks a critical step toward unlocking the bloc’s trade potential.
“The AfCFTA needs to move to the next level. Five years on, the potential remains untapped. I’m convinced that what we are launching today will be a significant step forward in unlocking trade,” he said.
{{From diplomatic hubs to economic hubs
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Kenya’s government says the initiative forms part of a broader shift in its foreign policy, which now prioritises commercial diplomacy and diaspora investment.
Mudavadi noted that Kenya recently secured parliamentary endorsement of its updated foreign policy framework, reinforcing predictability and credibility in its external engagements.
“Our diplomatic missions are among Africa’s most valuable assets. They are trusted institutions that already facilitate trade and investment, but today’s economy requires structured pipelines, reliable data, verified partners, and access to finance,” he said.
Officials stressed that while the system begins with Kenya’s 70 diplomatic missions, its ambition is continental, with an invitation extended to other African countries to adopt or integrate into the model.
“The success of this initiative,” Mudavadi said, “will be measured in completed deals, jobs created and enterprises grown. Africa’s next chapter must be written in performance, not promises.”
The budget cut follows the government’s securing of cheaper concessional and domestic financing for major projects, including Kigali’s new international airport, reducing the funding requirement by Rwf 168.2 billion.
Minister Murangwa said external financing is expected to increase by Rwf 250.5 billion, mainly from grants and concessional loans, while projected tax and other domestic revenues have been revised upward by Rwf 41 billion, signalling confidence in Rwanda’s growing economy.
The recurrent budget has been revised downward by Rwf 198 billion to Rwf 4,114.9 billion. This adjustment, the minister said, reflects changes in public debt servicing, subsidies, and expenditures on goods and services.
At the same time, investment in capital and development projects has been increased by Rwf 253.2 billion, reaching Rwf 2,115.8 billion.
The revised budget has been submitted to Parliament, which approved it for detailed review by the Finance Committee before final adoption.
It also emphasized its ability to meet larger financing needs through partnerships with other Bank of Africa subsidiaries across Africa, as part of the broader BMCE Group.
The event drew leaders from various institutions, including Morocco’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Youssef Imani. Jean Havugimana, the Executive Head of Business at Bank of Africa Rwanda, described the past decade as one of steady growth and client trust.
“The past 10 years in Rwanda have been very positive and marked by growth, culminating in the inauguration of our headquarters,” he said.
“More importantly, the trust our clients and shareholders have placed in us confirms that Rwanda is a place where we can build profitable business while contributing to national development.”
He attributed this progress to the bank’s responsiveness to client needs and robust lending capabilities.
“In Rwanda, we can provide loans of up to Rwf 6 billion at once. More broadly, there is no financing level beyond our reach, as we are part of the BMCE Group, which includes around 20 Bank of Africa subsidiaries that can pool their capacity,” Havugimana explained.
Looking forward, he outlined priorities for the next decade: accelerating service delivery, deepening client partnerships, expanding engagement with the Rwandan diaspora, and supporting private sector growth.
Managing Director Serge Atikossie emphasized the institution’s evolution. “Through the dedication of our teams, professionalism, and accountability, we have built more than a bank, we have built a trusted institution,” he said. “Today’s inauguration is not just about a building; it represents modernization and confidence in the future.”
National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) Deputy Governor Nick Barigye praised the bank’s trajectory.
“As BNR, we view its journey as a positive example of how a financial institution can perform strongly in the market while strengthening our financial sector,” he said. “Banks in Rwanda do more than provide financial services; they support investment, job creation, and broader national economic transformation.”
Barigye urged the bank to further prioritize support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), advance financial inclusion, and invest in technology, key areas aligned with Rwanda’s development goals.
Businessman Eugène Higiro, a client for five years, shared his positive experience. The bank has provided him with loans exceeding Rwf 1.4 billion.
“Bank of Africa understands that in business, speed matters,” he said. “Their loan processing is fast, you receive financing and can immediately move forward with your projects.”
Bank of Africa Rwanda began operations in 2015 following its merger with the former microfinance institution Agaseke Bank.
Today, it serves over 25,000 clients through 14 branches nationwide (including eight in Kigali) and has disbursed loans totaling more than Rwf 80 billion across various sectors.
As part of the BMCE Group, Bank of Africa operates in 20 countries, primarily across Africa, with additional presence in Asia and France.
Data from the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) shows that coffee and tea remained the country’s top foreign exchange earners during the week, contributing significantly to the overall export revenues.
Coffee exports reached 650 metric tons, generating $3,992,824, maintaining its position as Rwanda’s leading agricultural export. Tea followed closely, with 958 metric tons exported and revenues amounting to $2,800,793.
Diversified agricultural products accounted for the largest export volume during the period, with 6,732 metric tons shipped abroad, generating $4,288,813. Key destinations included the United States of America, Oman, as well as cross-border and other African markets.
The horticulture subsector also recorded notable performance. Vegetable exports totalled 363 metric tons, earning $390,539, with major markets including Great Britain, the Netherlands, India, Canada, Germany, France, and regional African countries. Fruit exports reached 267 metric tons, generating $311,860, mainly destined for the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, Canada, and regional markets.
Flower exports, though smaller in volume at 59 metric tons, generated $614,925, reflecting strong demand in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Animal products contributed $676,440 from 364 metric tons exported, with the United Arab Emirates and cross-border markets serving as key destinations.
Of this sponsorship, KShs. 100 million will go directly to the Safari Rally Kenya, while KShs. 28.5 million will be spent on the 5 KCB-sponsored; Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, Tinashe Gatimu, Queen Kalimpinya from Rwanda, and Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi. The rest of the funds will be spent on activations and marketing.
This brings to the total KShs. 980 million, the amount of money the Bank has given towards the global showpiece since its return to Kenyan soil in 2021 after a 19-year absence.
While presenting the sponsorship cheque to the Sports Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi Tuesday morning, KCB Group CEO Paul Russo said: “Our sponsorship demonstrates our commitment to driving sustainable impact, supporting local talent, and stimulating economic activity across tourism, trade, and enterprise among other sectors.”
“We are looking at continually building on our experience and scale in sports sponsorships across East Africa to further support talent for global, regional and in-country competitions across disciplines.”
KCB, a synonymous name in sports, has played a pivotal role in elevating the sports landscape in the country. In the past two decades, the Bank has spent over KShs. 5 billion on various sports disciplines, including motorsports, rugby, chess, volleyball, football, golf, and athletics. For motorsports specifically, the Bank has invested over KShs. 2 billion while also giving local drivers an opportunity to participate in local, regional, and international events.
The rally will cover a total competitive distance of 350.02 kilometers, supported by a liaison distance of 842.9 kilometers, in line with FIA requirements.
The four-day event will be based in Naivasha, a move designed to meet the FIA 2026 sporting regulations on distances and crew working hours, moving away from the usual ceremonial flag off in Nairobi.
On Thursday, March 12, there will be a shakedown at the newly introduced Nawisa stage. This will be followed by a ceremonial flag off before the cars pass Camp Moran and Mzabibu stages.
On Friday, March 13, cars will pass Camp Moran, Loldia, Geothermal, and Kedong. On Sunday, March 14, action will head to Soysambu, Elementaita, and Sleeping Warrior, before concluding with an autograph signing at Mzabibu.
Sunday, March 15, marks an electric day of action as cars rev off from Oserengoni, Hell’s Gate, before passing the Wolf Power Stage in the afternoon, culminating in the prize-giving ceremony.
“KCB’s sustained investment has helped grow local talent, attract global attention, and unlock opportunities for communities along the rally route. We commend the Bank for being a dependable partner in advancing sports development and youth empowerment in Kenya,” said PS Mwangi.
The Bank is committed to embedding sustainability at the heart of the rally, with an ambitious target of planting and growing 5,000 trees this year, in line with the government’s agenda to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Additionally, KCB will engage over 60 high schools in a curated green debate series that seeks to inspire and engage the younger generation, at the same time promoting environmental consciousness.
“The Safari Rally continues to grow as a global sporting spectacle, attracting fans and competitors from around the world. We are proud to showcase Kenya on the international motorsport stage and to inspire the next generation of local talent,” said Safari Rally Kenya CEO, Charles Gacheru.
This year, the rally is expected to attract 50 local and international teams, with top manufacturers such as Toyota, Hyundai, Škoda, and M-Sport Ford confirmed to compete.
The entry list features some of the sport’s biggest names, including Sebastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, defending Safari Rally champion Elfyn Evans, and Grégoire Munster, among others.
Marking the third round of the season, the event remains the ultimate test of survival in the WRC, where the wildlife is as unpredictable as the weather, with a refined schedule that packs 20 special stages into four days.
The figure, based on the urban Consumer Price Index (CPI) used as the benchmark for monetary policy, accelerated on a month-on-month basis, increasing by 1.3 percent compared to December 2025, pointing to renewed price momentum at the start of the year.
The latest CPI release indicates that inflationary pressures have broadened across several key sectors. Health services recorded the sharpest increase, surging by 71.1 percent year-on-year, while restaurants and hotels rose by 19.2 percent, reflecting higher service-sector costs in urban areas. Prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco also increased significantly, up 15.6 percent.
Food-related inflation remained relatively contained but showed signs of upward pressure. Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 5.3 percent year-on-year, with notable monthly rises in meat, vegetables, and dairy products. Bread and cereals prices, however, declined slightly on a monthly basis, helping to moderate overall food inflation.
Energy and housing-related costs continued to influence inflation dynamics. The energy index rose by 17.8 percent year-on-year, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 10.5 percent, reflecting higher utility and fuel prices. Imported goods inflation reached 9.6 percent, exceeding the 8.7 percent increase in locally produced goods, highlighting the role of external price pressures.
Transport inflation stood at 8.6 percent, while clothing and footwear rose by 5.5 percent.
Core inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy and is closely monitored as an indicator of underlying price trends, remained elevated at 8.9 percent year-on-year, with a monthly increase of 0.8 percent, suggesting that inflation is increasingly broad-based.
At the national level, combining both urban and rural indices, overall inflation stood at 7.5 percent, reflecting lower rural inflation of 6.5 percent. On a monthly basis, rural prices increased marginally by 0.1 percent, compared to the sharper rise observed in urban areas.
The annual average inflation rate between January 2025 and January 2026 was 7.2 percent, slightly below the headline January figure, while average core inflation stood at 7.4 percent.
NISR compiles the CPI using price data collected from more than 40,000 observations nationwide each month, covering 1,622 goods and services across urban and rural markets. The Urban CPI remains the principal reference for assessing inflation trends and guiding monetary policy decisions.
MoKash is regulated by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) and offered on the MTN Mobile Money menu in partnership with NCBA Bank Rwanda.
The enhancements mark an important step in MoKash’s evolution from a fast, accessible digital lender into a holistic financial partner that supports customers through every stage of their financial journey.
{{Loan top up}}
The new Loan Top Up feature allows customers to access additional funds on their existing loan, within their approved limit, during the first 20 days after disbursement. The feature is designed around real customer behavior and economic realities.
Many customers borrow based on anticipated needs, only to discover new opportunities shortly after receiving funds. Rather than requiring customers to wait for a full loan cycle to close before accessing additional credit, Loan Top Up provides a timely and transparent way to extend financing within the same loan window.
“Loan Top Up reflects the real rhythm of our customers’ lives and businesses,” said Chantal Kagame, CEO of Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd. “Our customers make financial decisions in real time; a market trader may restock today and quickly realize that demand has grown. With MoKash, we are standing alongside them as a trusted financial partner, offering instant and flexible support that adapts to their everyday realities. This evolution reinforces our commitment to building inclusive digital financial solutions designed around how our customers live, work, and grow.”
{{Lock savings}}
The newly introduced Lock Savings feature empowers customers to save and commit funds for defined periods ranging from one to twelve months. By choosing to lock their savings for a set tenure, customers earn competitive interest rates based on their balance levels, encouraging disciplined financial behaviour and long-term planning.
Lock Savings is fully embedded within the MoKash experience for MTN Mobile Money customers. Customers can seamlessly allocate funds from their MoKash General Savings account or mobile wallet into a locked savings account, monitor balances in real time, and earn up to 8% interest per annum while maintaining full visibility of their financial goals.
Commenting on the launch, Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda, described Lock Savings as a powerful tool.
“Lock Savings reflects how our customers aspire to grow. A parent setting aside school fees, a trader saving to expand stock, or a young professional building a financial cushion, these are everyday ambitions,” said Toroitich.
“We want to enable customers to transform short term income into long term progress.
Since its launch, MoKash has focused on solving real, everyday financial challenges by providing instant access to credit without paperwork, collateral, or long approval timelines. With Lock Savings and Loan Top Up, the platform now goes further by enabling customers to plan more deliberately, manage liquidity more flexibly, and build stronger financial foundations in a rapidly evolving economy.”
{{About MoKash}}
Since its launch in 2017, MoKash has grown to serve over 5 million customers, with women accounting for 40 percent of the customer base and youth approximately 60 percent.
The platform currently disburses more than 10,000 loans daily, reinforcing MoKash’s leadership in digital financial inclusion.
{{About Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd}}
Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd is MTN Rwanda’s FinTech subsidiary, established on 27th April 2021 to provide and manage Mobile Money services in Rwanda. The company has over 6.2 million subscribers, more than 66,000 Mobile Money agents, and over 550,000 MoMoPay merchants nationwide.
With continuous innovations in services such as MoMoPay, MoKash Loans & Savings, Tap&Go bus payments, Bill Payments, Virtual Card by MoMo, International & Regional Remittances, and more, MoMo Rwanda is at the forefront of driving financial inclusion and powering the digital economy in Rwanda.
{{About NCBA Bank Rwanda}}
NCBA Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of NCBA Group, a regional banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME, and consumer banking customers.
NCBA Group operates 115 branches in five countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast, serving over 60 million customers and ranking as the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers.
In Rwanda, NCBA operates branches in Kigali, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Kayonza, and Rusizi. Through its partnership with MTN Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd on MoKash, NCBA has attracted over 5 million customers, making it the country’s largest retail digital bank and a central catalyst for financial inclusion.
Data from Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) show that coffee imports into Kenya declined by 2.9 percent during the quarter under review, falling from 248.93 tonnes in 2024–2025 to 241.81 tonnes in 2025–2026. Despite the lower volumes, the total value of imports rose by 11.8 percent to $1.64 million, up from $1.47 million a year earlier, reflecting higher prices and changing consumer preferences.
The shift saw Rwanda overtake Uganda as Kenya’s leading coffee supplier during the period. This transition is largely driven by Rwanda’s specialisation in high-quality Arabica coffee, which accounts for approximately 98 percent of its total production. Unlike the bulk Robusta typically sourced from the region, Rwanda’s Arabica is prized for its bright acidity and complex flavour profiles, making it the preferred choice for Kenya’s expanding speciality coffee houses.
With the shift, Rwanda accounted for 43 percent of Kenya’s coffee imports, while Uganda’s coffee exports to Kenya declined from $1.13 million to $0.48 million during the period.
Rwanda’s stronger position in Kenya’s coffee market comes amid a record year for its global coffee exports. In 2025, Rwanda earned more than $148.6 million (about Rwf 216 billion) from coffee exports, the highest level on record, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
Export volumes rose by 39 percent year-on-year to 23,860 tonnes of green coffee, while revenues increased by 65 percent compared with 2024, when exports totalled 17,142 tonnes valued at $89.8 million. Higher global prices also supported earnings, with the average export price rising by 19 percent to $6.2 per kilogram.
NAEB said the growth was driven by increased production from newly maturing coffee trees, improved farming practices and sustained investment across the sector. Market expansion efforts, particularly in specialty segments in Europe and North America, also contributed to the gains.
NAEB Chief Executive Claude Bizimana said the 2025 performance puts Rwanda on track to meet its medium-term targets under the second National Strategy for Transformation, which aims to raise coffee exports to 32,000 tonnes and generate $192 million in revenues by 2029.
For farmers, higher export earnings translated into improved returns. In 2025, growers earned an average of Rwf 900 per kilogramme of coffee cherries, above the minimum farm-gate price of Rwf 600 set by NAEB.
