Industrial output grows by 8.5% 6.6% in July

Rwanda’s formal sector industrial output rose by 8.5 per cent in July 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to new figures released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).

NISR’s latest Index of Industrial Production report shows that the annual average growth rate stood at 6.4% in July.

The index tracks monthly changes in industrial output in Rwanda’s formal sector, covering businesses registered with tax authorities. Construction is excluded from the index due to data limitations.

Manufacturing recorded the strongest year-over-year growth, rising 49.2%, followed by electricity at 18.5% and water and waste management at 12.6%. Mining and quarrying output rose 4.7%.

NISR said the growth in manufacturing was mainly driven by food processing, non-metallic mineral products, and metal products, machinery and equipment.

Food processing rose 6.1%, while production of non-metallic mineral products increased 8.9%. Manufacturing of metal products, machinery and equipment grew 3.5%.

Some manufacturing activities, however, recorded declines. Production of beverages and tobacco fell 1.9%, while textiles, clothing and leather goods declined 0.5%.

Manufacturing accounts for 68.1% of Rwanda’s industrial production index, making it the largest component. Electricity accounts for 12.8%, mining and quarrying for 15.8%, and water and waste management for 3.3%.

On a monthly basis, the overall industrial production index rose 3.6% in July from June 2026, NISR said. The annual average growth rate stood at 6.3%.