Rwandans spent $197.8 million on travel abroad during the first six months of 2026, equivalent to more than Rwf291 billion, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
The figures, contained in NISR’s Travel Expenditure Survey released on September 15, show that travel spending remained broadly stable between the first and second quarters. Rwandans spent $98.1 million in the first quarter, followed by $99.7 million in the second quarter.
Business travel takes the biggest share
Business trips accounted for the largest share of overseas travel expenditure in the second quarter, making up 49.1% of total spending.
Travel to visit friends and relatives was the second-largest category, with expenditure reaching $20.5 million, followed by education-related travel at $18.9 million.
Leisure trips accounted for $8.6 million, while Rwandans travelling abroad to seek medical services spent $2.8 million during the quarter.
Air travel dominates spending
Air travel accounted for the bulk of overseas travel expenditure in the second quarter, at $76.2 million, compared with $23.5 million spent on land travel.
NISR recorded 53,904 Rwandans returning to the country by air during the quarter. Of these, 31,876 had travelled for business, 14,928 to visit friends and relatives, 4,929 for leisure, 1,644 for education and 527 for medical services.
Land crossings recorded a much higher number of returning travellers, with 276,416 Rwandans entering the country by land during the same period.
Business travel also dominated among those returning by land, accounting for nearly 210,000 travellers, while 59,599 had travelled to visit friends or relatives.
The data highlights the substantial amount of money Rwandans spent outside the country during the first half of 2026, particularly on business travel, education, family visits, leisure and medical services.
