KIGALI – Rwanda’s mining sector has emerged as a primary engine for national economic stability, with exports of Tin, Tungsten, and Tantalum skyrocketing by 46.2% between January and December 2025. This surge has played a pivotal role in narrowing the national trade deficit by 8.4%, providing a significant boost to the country’s macroeconomic outlook.
According to data presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, the trade deficit dropped from $3 billion (approx. Rwf4.3 trillion) in 2024 to $2.7 billion (approx. Rwf3.9 trillion) in 2025.
The Price Rally: From Artisanal to Industrial
Industry experts point to a “perfect storm” of favorable international market conditions and aggressive domestic reinvestment. Ibrahim Kalisa, Managing Director of NEMEP Trading Ltd, noted that the price of Tin (cassiterite) has jumped from Rwf 35,000 per kilogram early last year to roughly Rwf 56,000 today.
“These gains allow traders and mining cooperatives to invest more,” Kalisa explained. “We are now able to adopt better technology and operate for longer hours, including underground work that previously faced oxygen constraints.”
| Mineral | Unit | 2024 Price (Avg) | 2025 Price (Current) |
| Tin (Cassiterite) | Per Kg | ~Rwf 35,000 | Rwf 56,000 |
| Tantalum (Coltan) | Per Unit | $2.20 | $2.70 |
| Tungsten (Wolfram) | Per MTU | < $350 | ~$1,000 |
Mechanization and Efficiency Gains
The transition from traditional “pick-and-axe” methods to semi-industrial operations is paying dividends in output volume. Companies like SRMC Mining Company in Kamonyi District have swapped manual labor for excavators and heavy-duty trucks, drastically increasing the speed of ore processing.
Jean-Baptiste Mbarushimana, Managing Director of SRMC, credited two main factors for the recent productivity spike:
- Mechanization: Using specialized machinery to move earth rather than relying on manual porterage.
- Weather Stability: A lack of heavy rains in late 2025 allowed for uninterrupted operations, preventing the seasonal shutdowns that often plague the sector.
The “Clean Mineral” Advantage
Beyond the numbers, Rwanda is positioning itself as a reliable and ethical partner in the global supply chain. Innocent Kagenga, Chairperson of the Rwanda Mining Association, emphasized that the country’s robust mineral traceability system is a key differentiator for international buyers.
“Investors remain interested because of stability,” Kagenga said. “Our traceability gives confidence to smelters in Malaysia and the United States that Rwanda’s minerals are legally and responsibly sourced—they are ‘clean’ minerals.”
Looking Ahead
With electricity and road infrastructure improving in mining hubs like Rulindo and Kamonyi, the cost of doing business is falling even as output rises. If international prices for electronics and green-energy components (which rely heavily on Tantalum and Tin) remain high, Rwanda’s mining sector is set to remain the cornerstone of its export economy through 2026.
