Rwanda Country Profile

A Rwandan kingdom dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with Tutsi rulers conquering others militarily and centralizing power. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during WW I. Rwandan independence came in 1962. Conflict between Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups continued for decades. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first presidential and legislative elections in 2003.

ECONOMY

Economic Overview

fast-growing Sub-Saharan economy; major public investments; 

trade and tourism hit hard by COVID-19; increasing poverty after 2 

decades of declines; Ugandan competition for regional influence; 

major coffee exporter; contested GDP figures

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) $27.18 billion (2020 est.)

GDP per capita (Purchasing Power Parity) $2,100 (2020 est.)

Industries - cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, 

soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes 

Agricultural products - bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, 

potatoes, plantains, beans, maize, gourds, milk, taro

Exports $1.05 billion (2017 est.)

gold, refined petroleum, coffee, tea, tin (2019) 

Partners: UAE 35%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 28%, 

Uganda 5% (2019) 

Imports $1.922 billion (2017 est.)

refined petroleum, gold, raw sugar, packaged medicines, 

broadcasting equipment (2019) 

Partners: China 17%, Kenya 10%, Tanzania 9%, UAE 9%, India 

7%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019) 

*Information obtained from CIA.GOV Click on our Country Profile  to get a complete downloadable copy of Rwanda's World Factbook profile.