Rwanda rose to 32nd in Africa’s industrial rankings in 2024, up from 34th in 2023, according to the Africa Industrialization Index 2025 compiled by Morocco. The country has climbed from 38th in 2010, reflecting gradual gains in industrial development driven by investment, export growth and industrial policy reforms.
In East Africa, Kenya leads at 11th, followed by Uganda at 16th and Tanzania at 23rd. Ethiopia ranks 31st, just ahead of Rwanda. Burundi ranks 52nd out of 54 African countries in the index. The Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 13th.
Morocco leads the continent, overtaking South Africa, which now ranks second. Egypt is third, followed by Tunisia, Mauritius, Algeria, Eswatini, Senegal, Namibia and Côte d’Ivoire, which round out the top 10.
The index shows industrial output in Africa rose from $285 billion in 2020 to $351 billion in 2025, but it still accounts for less than 2% of global manufacturing output and about 1.4% of global manufactured exports.
North Africa remains the continent’s strongest industrial region, followed by Southern Africa, based on manufacturing output and export performance.
Countries that recorded the sharpest declines include Libya, Lesotho, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Niger, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Seychelles, Mali and Madagascar, all of which fell by more than five positions.
The African Development Bank says stronger industrial capacity is needed to create jobs, increase exports and support long-term economic stability across the continent. For Rwanda, the index cites continued efforts to attract investment, expand industrial zones in Kigali, Rwamagana and Bugesera, and strengthen export-oriented production.
