RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
Rwanda’s agricultural export sector has reached a historic milestone, generating $1.1 billion in revenue during the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) announced Wednesday
The figure represents a 24.3% jump from the $893 million earned the previous fiscal year, and marks the highest annual export earnings ever recorded by the sector, according to NAEB.
NAEB credited the surge to a combination of infrastructure investment, quality control, and market expansion efforts carried out over the past year. Among the key drivers cited by the board:
Strengthened export infrastructure, including specialized export quality facilities, Enhanced traceability systems designed to boost product credibility and market access, Compliance with international quality and safety standards, Expanded market promotion, product diversification, and logistics development, Deeper linkages with international buyers, Innovation initiatives, such as the annual Best of Rwanda National Specialty Coffee Competition, Rising productivity across export crops Continued farmer empowerment and awareness campaigns.
NAEB Chief Executive Officer Claude Bizimana framed the achievement as part of a broader national push to modernize agriculture and expand Rwanda’s footprint in global markets.
“Surpassing the US$1 billion mark is a significant achievement for Rwanda’s agricultural export sector and reflects the country’s commitment to transforming the sector and strengthening its position in global markets,” Bizimana said in a statement.
He tied the milestone to Rwanda’s longer-term development agenda, noting that the achievement comes as the country works toward the goals of its Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and the Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5). Bizimana said NAEB remains committed to working with stakeholders to further grow export earnings, diversify products and markets, add value to exports, and build resilience in the sector.
Crossing the $1 billion threshold positions Rwanda’s agricultural exports as an increasingly significant contributor to the country’s economy, and signals growing international confidence in Rwandan agricultural products from coffee and tea to other specialty crops as the country continues to invest in quality assurance and export logistics.
NAEB did not break down the $1.1 billion by specific commodity in its announcement, but pointed to ongoing investment in traceability and quality infrastructure as central to sustaining the sector’s growth trajectory heading into the next fiscal year.
