China is now Rwanda’s biggest export market – now comes the hard part

In the first quarter of 2026, China became Rwanda's leading export destination, accounting for 26% of the country's total exports. This represents a significant increase from less than 5% during the same period a year earlier.

The rapid growth in trade was driven by the removal of Chinese tariffs on nearly all Rwandan products. Despite the tariff exemptions, local producers face ongoing challenges regarding practical access to the Chinese market.