The report released on Tuesday, August 4, shows that manufacturing drove the expansion, growing 21.5% year-on-year and contributing 1.9 percentage points to the overall index. The sub-sector carried a weight of 68.1% within the general index, making it by far the largest component of industrial activity.

Electricity output rose 16.5%, contributing 3.3 percentage points to the annual change despite holding a smaller 12.8% weight in the index, the single largest contribution of any activity tracked. Water and waste management increased 11.3%, while mining and quarrying grew 6.9%.

Within manufacturing, chemicals, rubber and plastic products rose 6.3%, non-metallic mineral products increased 6.1%, food processing grew 2.2%, wood, paper and printing rose 2.5%, and metal products, machinery and equipment increased 2.3%. Furniture and other manufacturing was the only sub-sector to contract, falling 5.3% and shaving 0.2 percentage points off the annual change.

On a month-on-month basis, the general index fell 1.9% against May 2026, with manufacturing down 2.7% and electricity down 2.0%. Mining and quarrying rose 37.4% on the month.

The Index of Industrial Production is one of the earliest indicators of economic activity, providing insights into the performance of Rwanda's industrial sector before broader economic growth data is released. It is closely watched by businesses, investors and policymakers to assess production trends and guide investment and policy decisions.