The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) has announced that new regulations governing the production of alcoholic beverages in Rwanda have been drafted and are awaiting approval by the Cabinet.

The proposed regulations are expected to establish stricter requirements for the production of locally manufactured alcoholic beverages, with the aim of improving product quality, protecting public health and ensuring compliance with national standards. Some factories that fail to meet the requirements could face restrictions or closure.

Minister of Trade and Industry Antoine Kajangwe announced the development on November 3, 2026, while responding to questions from Members of Parliament concerning challenges affecting the processing and marketing of agricultural products.

The minister also addressed concerns raised by lawmakers following the closure of more than 200 factories in August, including facilities producing locally made alcoholic beverages from agricultural products such as bananas and sorghum. These included traditional drinks such as urwagwa and ikigage.

Kajangwe explained that the government considered it necessary to review the production processes of alcoholic beverages, particularly after observing changes in the ingredients and methods used by some manufacturers. He noted that certain factories had reduced their use of locally sourced agricultural products, significantly altering the nature of the beverages they produced.

"Regulations governing the quality standards of alcoholic beverages produced in Rwanda have been under review. The new regulations have already been drafted, and we are awaiting their approval by the Cabinet. They will help reinforce compliance with the requirements for producing alcoholic beverages in the country," the minister said.

He added that the revised standards would address changes in the composition of alcoholic drinks and the methods used in their production. Once approved, the regulations are expected to be implemented in the near future.

Meanwhile, MINICOM said the government is exploring alternative ways of utilising bananas that were previously supplied to alcohol-producing factories. One of the proposed alternatives is processing them into juice to create additional value for agricultural produce.

The minister said awareness campaigns were being conducted to promote banana juice production and encourage the development of alternative processing opportunities.

As a temporary measure, the government has also introduced controls on the production of traditional alcoholic beverages within communities. Under guidelines developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and other institutions, anyone intending to prepare alcoholic beverages for public gatherings or community events must first obtain authorisation from local authorities.

Authorities are required to assess whether the production premises, brewing methods and resulting beverages meet the necessary hygiene, safety and public health standards.

However, individuals operating under this arrangement are not permitted to sell the beverages commercially. They may only prepare them for specific events and gatherings.

Beyond the proposed regulations on alcoholic beverages, the government is also working on broader reforms aimed at strengthening quality assurance across different sectors.

Kajangwe revealed that legislation on quality standards is being prepared to establish a comprehensive framework for regulating product quality across various industries, rather than focusing exclusively on alcoholic beverages.

The government is also reviewing the structure, responsibilities and coordination of institutions responsible for quality control. Among the proposals under consideration is allowing independent experts from the private sector to provide certain quality assurance services, including laboratory testing and the issuance of product quality certification.

The reforms are intended to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve consumer protection and ensure that products manufactured in Rwanda meet the required standards.

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