The economic importance of diseases and pests on common bean production in Rwanda was investigated using on farm diagnostic trials, multi‐regression models and national production information. Disease and arthropod pest control resulted respectively in yield increases of 447–497 kg ha and 158–233 kg ha. Nationally, annual dry bean losses from diseases were estimated to be 219300 tonnes, or USS89.9 million, and from arthropod pests 79800 tonnes, or US$32.7 million. Major losses using multi‐regression models were attributed to angular leaf spot (56656 tonnes), anthracnose (35925 tonnes), floury leaf spot (30264 tonnes), phoma blight (27513 tonnes), rust (15667 tonnes) and root‐rots (14690 tonnes). Multi‐regression models were less useful in explaining losses from pests, possibly due to the quality of data. With results from national endosulfan seed treatment trials it was conservatively estimated that beanflies, principally Ophiomyia spencerella reduced bean yields nationally by 18000 tonnes. The results have relevance for research and policy priorities for bean research not only in Rwanda, but also in agroecologically similar regions in the Great Lakes region of Africa.