• Kigali ends restriction imposed after South Africa’s 2017 listeriosis outbreak

• Decision follows completed health checks confirming the country is listeriosis-free

• South African farm exports to Africa totaled about $6 billion in 2024

Rwanda lifted on November 14 the ban that had restricted imports of agricultural and animal products from South Africa for nearly eight years. The information was reported by local outlet The News Times, citing Agriculture and Animal Resources Minister Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe (pictured).

The measure, introduced in December 2017, followed the emergence of a listeriosis outbreak in South Africa. At the time, Kigali suspended imports of meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and other animal-origin goods to protect the population against Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for the outbreak, which can cause severe infections, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

According to Mr. Bagabe, the decision to lift the restriction in 2025 follows full health inspections carried out by the relevant authorities, confirming that South Africa is now officially free of listeriosis.

For Pretoria, the resumption of agricultural exports to the East African country is an opportunity to diversify its markets across the continent. Africa has been the main destination for South African agricultural products for several years.

In 2024, for example, South African farm shipments to African countries totaled about $6 billion, accounting for 44 % of total export earnings that year ($13.7 billion), according to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz). This figure also marks an increase of 20 %, or $1 billion, compared with 2023.

Like most African countries, Rwanda is a net importer of agricultural and food products. Data compiled by UNCTAD show that the East African country imported an average of about $655 million worth of food products per year between 2021 and 2023.