A “Made in Rwanda”
campaign helped the
Rwandan economy to
continue growing at 5.9% in
2016 compared to the sub-
Saharan average of 1.4%,
according to the International
Monetary Fund (IMF).
There has been greater
demand for outward-bound
logistics.
“Rwanda’s external trade
deficit was lower than
expected in 2016, following a
strong pick up in goods and
services exports, combined
with reduced demand for
imports,” says Laure Redifer,
who led an IMF consultation
mission to Rwanda in May.
The Rwandan government
supported exports by allowing
the Rwandan franc to devalue
by around 10% in 2016.
Local manufacturing is
being promoted through a
“Made in Rwanda” policy
“to encourage domestic
production of certain
goods currently imported
and promote export
diversification, intended to
foster external stability and
growth in the medium term,”
says Redifer.
'Buy local' buoys Rwandan economy
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