In an interview with IGIHE, NAEB Chief Executive Officer Claude Bizimana outlined how the agency is positioning the agriculture and livestock export sector among key drivers of economic growth under the country’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050.
Bizimana said NAEB is pursuing all possible avenues to modernize and streamline agricultural export processes, with the aim of boosting production and improving access to international markets, particularly in West and Central Africa.
Rwanda recently signed a cooperation agreement through its embassy in the Republic of Congo to facilitate the export of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The deal followed Bizimana’s working visit to Congo-Brazzaville in December 2025, where NAEB, in collaboration with partners including RwandAir, agreed on measures to ease export logistics and address long-standing challenges faced by exporters.
“Producers often struggled to secure sufficient cargo space on flights, and shipments sometimes took too long to reach their destinations,” Bizimana said. “We engaged RwandAir and agreed to facilitate exporters to send their produce efficiently.”
During the visit, Bizimana also met Congo’s Minister in charge of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, and Rwandan diplomatic officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and increase trade flows.
As a result of this partnership, 17 tonnes of Rwandan-grown fruits and vegetables were shipped directly to Congo-Brazzaville on January 21, 2026, marking a milestone in Rwanda’s regional export expansion.
Bizimana noted that this progress reflects Rwanda’s broader trade openness, including its commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is designed to boost intra-African trade.
He added that NAEB plays a central role in processing, preserving, aggregating, and ensuring the quality of export products through cold storage facilities before they reach international markets.
Exports to Brazzaville were initiated after Rwandans living and working there raised concerns about limited access to Rwandan produce. NAEB then coordinated exporters and provided guidance on how to organize shipments effectively.
According to Bizimana, direct exports without unnecessary transit stops demonstrate strong coordination among Rwandan institutions and embassies abroad, helping reduce losses caused by delays.
“When shipments take too long, produce can spoil before reaching the market,” he said. “Efficient logistics benefit exporters and generate foreign exchange earnings for the country.”
Beyond Africa, Rwanda continues to expand its reach to global markets. Between December 22 and 26, 2025, agricultural exports generated $15.6 million. The largest volumes of fruit were exported to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and France, alongside several African countries.
During the same period, Rwanda exported 241 tonnes of vegetables, with the UAE, the UK, and Spain emerging as the top destinations.
Agricultural exports remain a major source of foreign exchange for Rwanda. In 2025, the sector generated $893.1 million. Between January 12 and 16, 2026, agricultural and livestock exports earned the country over $15.2 million (approximately Rwf 22.2 billion).
NAEB further reports that exports between January 19 and 23, 2026 generated $13.9 million, equivalent to more than Rwf 20 billion.
These figures are expected to rise. Under the 2025/26 national budget, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources projects that exports from the sector will generate over $1 billion.
Rwanda aims to increase export volumes by an average of 13 percent annually, with the goal of doubling export revenues to $7.3 billion by 2029.
karirima@igihe.com
Leave a Reply