Natural resources of Rwanda
Oil, gas, minerals, forests and water in Rwanda: what it produces, how it ranks in the world, who mines it and what it earns. Every figure is from an official source and is updated when the source is.
Resource rents, share of GDP (2021)
4.0 %
Resources, share of goods exports (2025)
47.9 %
Forest, share of land (2024)
26.1 %
Source: World Bank; UN Comtrade; U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last checked 24 October 2026.
| Tantalum | 400 | metric tons | 2 | 16.0 | 2 | NA |
| Niobium | 200 | metric tons | 5 | 0.2 | 2 | NA |
| Beryllium | 1 | metric tons | 7 | 0.2 | 4 | Not published |
| Tungsten | 1,300 | metric tons | 7 | 1.5 | 1 | NA |
| Tin | 4,600 | metric tons | 11 | 1.6 | 2 | NA |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Mining and minerals
The U.S. Geological Survey records 25 mineral commodities with published production in Rwanda between 2018 and 2022, from metals and gemstones to industrial minerals and fuels. The table includes processed products such as cement and steel, which USGS reports alongside raw minerals.
Showing 25 of 25
| Beryl | Metals | kilograms | 20,000 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 | Not published |
| Gold, mine, Au content do | Metals | Not published | 350 | 350 | 310 | 350 | 350 | 2018: r; 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Iron and steel, raw steel | Metals | Not published | 23,000 | 23,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 | 25,000 | Not published |
| Cassiterite, gross weight | Metals | Not published | 4,780 | 4,077 | 3,764 | 3,679 | 5,189 | 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Cassiterite, nb content | Metals | kilograms | 43,000 | 37,000 | 34,000 | 33,000 | 47,000 | 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Cassiterite, ta content | Metals | kilograms | 72,000 | 61,000 | 56,000 | 55,000 | 78,000 | 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Columbite-tantalite, gross weight | Metals | kilograms | 1,643,525 | 1,353,849 | 1,028,422 | 1,046,160 | 1,304,699 | Not published |
| Columbite-tantalite, nb content | Metals | kilograms | 210,000 | 170,000 | 130,000 | 130,000 | 160,000 | Not published |
| Columbite-tantalite, ta content | Metals | kilograms | 350,000 | 290,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 | 280,000 | Not published |
| Mine, cassiterite concentrate, gross weight | Metals | Not published | 4,780 | 4,077 | 3,764 | 3,679 | 5,189 | 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Mine, cassiterite concentrate, sn content | Metals | Not published | 3,000 | 2,600 | 2,400 | 2,300 | 3,300 | 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Mine, cassiterite concentrate, smelter, primary | Metals | Not published | Not published | 92 | 547 | 395 | 643 | 2018: --; 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Tungsten, mine, concentrate, gross weight | Metals | Not published | 1,966 | 1,884 | 1,809 | 2,825 | 2,943 | Not published |
| Tungsten, mine, concentrate, w content | Metals | Not published | 940 | 900 | 860 | 1,340 | 1,400 | 2021: r |
| Cement, hydraulic | Industrial Minerals | metric tons | 400,000 | 450,000 | 490,000 | 670,000 | 940,000 | Not published |
| Clay, common | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 39,000 | 46,000 | 45,000 | 46,000 | 58,000 | Not published |
| Gemstones, tourmaline | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 5,000 | 4,400 | 3,900 | 4,500 | 5,600 | 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Lime | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 3,000 | 3,000 | 2,700 | 3,000 | 3,000 | Not published |
| Pumice and related materials, pozzolan, pozzolanic material | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 130,000 | 160,000 | 150,000 | 160,000 | 200,000 | Not published |
| Sand and gravel, unspecified | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 4,300,000 | 4,200,000 | 4,800,000 | 5,400,000 | 5,700,000 | Not published |
| Limestone | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 390,000 | 460,000 | 450,000 | 460,000 | 580,000 | Not published |
| Sandstone | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 50,000 | 60,000 | 59,000 | 60,000 | 76,000 | Not published |
| Dimension, granite | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 15,000 | 18,000 | 16,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | Not published |
| Natural gas, marketable, dry basis | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | million cubic meters | 58 | 61 | 59 | 63 | 63 | 2021: r |
| Peat, unspecified | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | Not published | 38,000 | 23,000 | 32,000 | 52,000 | 99,000 | 2021: r |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook, country tables. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Showing 35 of 35
| Cement | Cimenterie du Rwanda Ltd. (Cimerwa) (PPC Ltd., 51%) | Plant at Cyangugu | 600,000 | Not published |
| Cement | Kigali Cement Co. (ARM Cement Ltd., 100%) | Plant at Muganza | 100,000 | Not published |
| Cement | Great Lakes Cement Co. | Plant in Musanze District | 26,000 | Not published |
| Clay | Cimenterie du Rwanda Ltd. (Cimerwa) | Mine near Muganza | 61,000 | Not published |
| Amethyst | Artisanal miners | Mine in Ruhango District | 28,000 | kilograms |
| Sapphire do. | Artisanal miners | Mines in Rusizi District | 1,100 | Not published |
| Tourmaline do. | Artisanal miners | Various locations in central Rwanda | 11,000 | Not published |
| Mined do. | Artisanal miners | Mines in Gicumbi, Karongi, Nyamagabe Nyamasheke, and Rusizi Districts | 3,200 | Not published |
| Refined do. | Aldango Ltd. | Refinery at Kigali | 72,000 | Not published |
| Lime | ALICOMEC | Plant in Western Province | 3,300 | Not published |
| Natural gas | Kivuwatt Ltd. (ContourGlobal LLC) | Plant at Lake Kivu | 61 | million cubic meters |
| Natural gas | Kibuye Power 1 Ltd. | Plant at Lake Kivu | 11 | million cubic meters |
| Niobium (columbium) and | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Rutsiro District | 480 | Not published |
| Peat | Peat Energy Co. [Rwanda Investment Group S.A. (RIG)] | Mine at Gishoma in Rusizi District | 200,000 | Not published |
| Pozzolanic materials | Cimenterie du Rwanda Ltd. (Cimerwa) | Mine near Muganza | 220,000 | Not published |
| Steel, crude | SteelRwa Industries Ltd. | Plant in Rwamagana District | 36,000 | Not published |
| Limestone | Cimenterie du Rwanda Ltd. (Cimerwa) | Mine at Nyakabuye | 690,000 | Not published |
| Sandstone | Cimenterie du Rwanda Ltd. (Cimerwa) | Mine at Nengo | 84,000 | Not published |
| Stone, dimension | East African Granite Industries Ltd. | Plant at Rutarka Village | 2,200 | Not published |
| Cassiterite, ore and | Rutongo Mines Ltd. (Tinco Investments Ltd.) | Mines in Rulindo District | 1,200 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Muhanga District | 790 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Nyamasheke District | 690 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Rutsiro District | 640 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Gakene District | 590 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Rubavu District | 320 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Kayonza District | 290 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Gatsibo District | 270 | Not published |
| concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Bugesera District | 230 | Not published |
| Refined | Luna Smelter Ltd. | Smelter at Karuruma | 2,200 | Not published |
| Tungsten, wolframite ore | Eurotrade International S.A. (Tinco Investments Ltd.) | Nyakabingo Mine in Rulindo | 480 | Not published |
| and concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Rwamagama District | 300 | Not published |
| and concentrate | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Burera District | 290 | Not published |
| and concentrate | Rwanda Allied Partners (RAP) | Kilimbari Mine in Kayonza District | 270 | Not published |
| Commodity | Major operating companies and major equity owners | Location of main facilities | Not published | Not published |
| Tungsten, wolframite ore | Various companies and cooperatives | Mines in Rutsiro District | 230 | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook 2019, Rwanda. Last checked 24 October 2026.
What natural resources earn
Natural resource rents were 4% of GDP in 2021, with forests and timber the largest part. That ranks Rwanda 42nd of 54 African countries. See all 54.
View the data as a table
| Period | Natural gas | Minerals | Forests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.0 % | 0.6 % | 5.9 % |
| 2011 | 0.0 % | 1.1 % | 5.9 % |
| 2012 | 0.0 % | 0.4 % | 6.0 % |
| 2013 | 0.0 % | 0.4 % | 6.1 % |
| 2014 | 0.0 % | 0.4 % | 6.0 % |
| 2015 | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 5.7 % |
| 2016 | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 5.8 % |
| 2017 | 0.0 % | 0.3 % | 5.7 % |
| 2018 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % | 4.5 % |
| 2019 | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 3.8 % |
| 2020 | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 4.1 % |
| 2021 | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 4.0 % |
| 2022 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2023 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2024 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2025 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Forest, share of land (2024)
26.1 %
Arable land, share of land (2024)
48.9 %
Renewable fresh water per person (2022)
696 m³
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Method and sources
Oil, gas and coal output and coal reserves are from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil and gas proved reserves are the EIA figures republished by Our World in Data; oil is converted from cubic metres to barrels at the standard factor. World production, reserves and ranks are from the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries, ranked among the countries USGS names. The full list of commodities and the companies that mine them are from the USGS Minerals Yearbook country tables, which run a few years behind. Rents, land and water are from the World Bank, and export shares from UN Comtrade. Nothing is estimated by us. Figures last checked on 24 October 2026.
USGS country page for Rwanda. EIA international energy data. World Bank resource rents.
Frequently asked questions
What natural resources does Rwanda have?
Rwanda's main natural resources are tantalum, niobium, beryllium, tungsten and timber. It was the world's 2nd largest producer of tantalum in 2025, with 16% of world output. Gold, diamonds and precious metals made up 23.5% of its goods exports in 2025, and all resources together 47.9%. The World Bank puts natural resource rents at 4% of GDP in 2021, mostly from forests and timber. The U.S. Geological Survey also records production of gold, cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, mine, gemstones and pumice and related materials, among 10 mineral commodities.
Does Rwanda produce oil?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration records no meaningful crude oil production for Rwanda in 2025.
What is Rwanda's most valuable natural resource?
By export earnings, gold, diamonds and precious metals: 23.5% of goods exports in 2025, according to UN Comtrade.
How much do natural resources contribute to Rwanda's economy?
Natural resource rents, the value of resources extracted minus the cost of extracting them, were 4% of GDP in 2021. That ranks Rwanda 42nd of 54 African countries.
Which companies mine in Rwanda?
The U.S. Geological Survey's 2019 list of Rwanda's mineral industry names 15 operating companies, including Cimenterie du Rwanda Ltd., Kigali Cement Co., Great Lakes Cement Co., Aldango Ltd. and ALICOMEC. The full list is on this page.
Where does Rwanda rank in world mineral production?
In 2025, Rwanda ranked 2nd for tantalum, 5th for niobium, 7th for beryllium and 7th for tungsten among the producers the U.S. Geological Survey lists.