These include a new iron and steel processing plant, a lithium and tantalum refinery, and expanded petroleum storage facilities.
These projects are highlighted in the annual economic performance report released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM).
{{Export targets and industrial growth}}
According to MINICOM, Rwanda aims to increase its total export value to $4.9 billion by 2026, up from $4.2 billion in 2024/25.
The main contributors to this target include exports from floriculture, edible oil manufacturing, construction materials, and mineral processing industries.
Among the new industrial ventures expected to drive growth is the A1 Iron & Steel plant, which will process iron ore and produce a range of steel products used in construction.
The factory will manufacture Thermo-Mechanically Treated (TMT) bars, 5.5 Wire rods, Binding wire, Hot rolled strips, V angles, Flat bars, C channels, I-beams, and Round bars. It is located in the Musanze Industrial Park.
{{Ceramic, lithium and tantalum processing investments}}
Another significant project is the Rwanda Mountain Ceramics factory in Muhanga District, which will produce ceramic tiles using locally sourced clay.
The total investment is estimated at $60 million, with between 70 and 100 workers already employed during construction and about 200 permanent jobs expected once operations begin.
In the mining sector, the Golden Tree Mining plant, owned by the Dubai-based Golden Tree Investment Group, will process tantalum, lithium, and niobium.
Located in the Muhanga Industrial Zone, this facility will be one of the largest of its kind in East Africa and is expected to significantly increase the value of Rwanda’s mineral exports.
In 2024/25, Rwanda earned $1.6 billion from mineral exports, mainly from tin, tantalum, and gold. The new lithium and tantalum processing plant is expected to boost these earnings even further.
{{Cement, leather and industrial parks expansion}}
In 2025/26, CIMERWA, Rwanda’s leading cement manufacturer, will begin constructing a new clinker production plant in Musanze District.
This project is expected to save the country more than $4.5 million per month, which is currently spent importing clinker from neighboring countries.
Additionally, Rwanda plans to establish a leather industrial park in Bugesera District.
The idea stems from the need to process domestic hides and skins locally rather than exporting them for treatment abroad and reimporting them at higher prices.
These new plants will be supported by infrastructure development in Musanze, Muhanga, Bugesera, and Rwamagana industrial zones.
{{Industrial sector performance}}
The government has set an ambitious goal for industrial growth to reach 10% in the 2025/26 fiscal year, a significant increase from 3% recorded in 2024/25. Revenues from the manufacturing sector also rose to $3.4 billion, compared to $3.3 billion in the previous year.
Within this performance, the food processing industries contributed 24% of the total output, while beverages and tobacco accounted for 29%.
The machinery, metal, and equipment segment represent 8%, matching the contribution from textiles and leather industries, which also stand at 8%. Meanwhile, furniture and office equipment contributed around 7%, and mining and mineral processing maintained a steady share of 8%.
{{Expansion of petroleum storage capacity}}
In March, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, announced that Rwanda’s current petroleum storage capacity exceeds 110 million liters, but the government aims to increase this to 320 million liters within two years.
The 2025/26 plan includes building new petroleum depots, which will significantly enhance the country’s storage capacity.
Rwanda imports petroleum products mainly from Arab countries, routed through Tanzania and, to a lesser extent, Kenya.
Currently, investors operating petroleum depots earn Frw 8 per liter, but the government is considering raising this to between Frw 12 and Frw 14 per liter to make investment in storage expansion more profitable.
As of 2021, petroleum storage facilities included; OilCom depots in Jabana, SP depots in Rusororo, Government depots in Gatsata, Rwabuye, and Bigogwe, ERP depots in Kabuye, jet fuel storage facilities in Kanombe and Rusororo.
In 2024/25, Rwanda spent $637 million on petroleum imports, a slight increase from $636 million in 2023/24.
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