Services Sector Contribution to GDP in Rwanda (1990-2022)

Rwanda's services sector has consistently contributed a significant portion to the country's GDP over the past few decades. In the early 1990s, the sector accounted for around 42-49% of GDP, with a notable dip in 1994, following the genocide, when the contribution fell to 29.1%. The recovery from this devastating period saw the services sector gradually regaining its importance, reaching 40% in 1995 and stabilizing in the late 1990s and early 2000s around 44-45%.

In the mid-2000s, the services sector's contribution rose further, peaking at 49.9% in 2010, driven by growth in sectors such as trade, transport, and communication. This period marked Rwanda’s push towards modernization and service-oriented economic reforms. The sector maintained its strong performance through the 2010s, hovering around 48-50% of GDP, even during global economic challenges. In 2020, the pandemic caused a slight dip to 46.6%, but the services sector remained resilient, contributing to the recovery in subsequent years, reaching 47.7% in 2021 and 46.5% in 2022. This stability reflects Rwanda’s ongoing focus on services, including financial services, tourism, and ICT, as key drivers of economic growth.