• Rwanda recorded double-digit GDP growth of 11.8% in the third quarter of 2025, up from 7.8% in the previous quarter.

• Services, industry, and agriculture drove growth, with services contributing 57% of GDP.

• Public debt pressures persist, with the World Bank warning that debt could peak at 80% of GDP in 2025.

Rwanda’s gross domestic product growth accelerated to 11.8% in the third quarter of 2025 from 7.8% in the second quarter. The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported the data in a statement released on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

The NISR identified services, agriculture, and industry as the main contributors to the expansion.

According to the institute, the services sector accounted for 57% of GDP. Growth in wholesale and retail trade, transport services, and information and communication services supported the sector’s performance.

Industry emerged as the second growth engine. The sector contributed 22% of GDP, supported by mining activities, construction, and manufacturing.

Agriculture accounted for 15% of GDP. Higher output from food crops, livestock, and fisheries supported the sector’s contribution.

Net direct taxes represented the remaining 6% of GDP.

Rwanda has maintained solid growth dynamics in recent years. In 2024, the country recorded economic growth of 8.9%, according to the NISR.

Following this performance, the government rebased its GDP using 2024 as the new base year. The rebasing aimed to better reflect the economy’s actual structure and resulted in a higher measured GDP level.

However, the World Bank warned that Rwanda continues to face elevated public debt levels. The institution expects public debt to peak at 80% of GDP in 2025.

The country also faces climate-related shocks and persistent challenges in job creation. In addition, growth has become less inclusive.

To address these constraints, the World Bank stated that Rwanda should “rely more heavily on private sector investment in order to improve productivity growth, increase incomes, and provide the financing needed to close infrastructure gaps.”

For 2025, the International Monetary Fund forecast GDP growth of 7%.

Lydie Mobio