Rwandan business customs are mostly similar to those in the United States.  It is common for people to wear business suits and to exchange business cards during meetings.  Culturally, however, a direct “no” to a proposal is rare.  Rwandan businesspeople may acknowledge the merits of a proposal when in fact their actual interest is limited.  Oral commitments should not be considered contractually binding.  This includes statements from government officials.  Negotiations are often lengthy and contracts have been arbitrarily reopened after signature, especially those containing tax incentives and provisions.  International arbitration and mediation clauses in original contracts have helped protect some U.S. investors from payment and contractual disputes.  Those considering doing business in Rwanda are advised to retain local legal counsel.

The latest travel advisory and visa requirement information can be found at travel.state.gov. 

Visa requirements

Rwanda requires that all U.S. citizens possess a visa to enter Rwanda.  A visa valid for 30 days for the purpose of tourism can be purchased for $50 upon arrival at Kigali International Airport or at Rwanda’s land borders.  Accepted forms of payment include U.S. dollars printed after 2006 and Visa or Mastercard.  For visa information, visit the Rwandan Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration’s website.

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process.  Visa applicants should visit the State Department Visa Website.

Currency

The Rwandan franc (RWF) is convertible for all business transactions.  U.S. dollars and Euros are accepted for international transactions.  Credit cards are not used extensively, except in major hotels, grocery stores, and larger restaurants that cater to tourists.  ATM and point of sale machines are generally available in secondary cities in Rwanda.  Many ATMs and point of sales in Rwanda are compatible with Visa and MasterCard debit cards.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Internet access is available throughout Rwanda, though poor connections outside of major cities and electricity outages may affect access.  Rwanda is also one of the few countries in Africa to have launched a national high-speed 4G LTE wireless broadband network.  Most hotels, the Kigali Convention Center, and several other event spaces used for conferences and corporate events have Wi-Fi.  Rwandan electricity is 220 volts.  Plugs are type C/E/F (similar to most of Europe).

Transportation

Air transport options are growing rapidly, led by government-owned airline RwandAir.

Table: Airlines in Rwanda

Language

English and French are the accepted business languages in Rwanda, although many Rwandans may find English communication difficult, particularly outside Kigali.  Interpreters are generally not required for business meetings.  Almost all Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda, and some speak Kiswahili to some degree.

Health

Medical and dental facilities are limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable; you should carry your own supply of properly labeled medications to cover your entire stay.  In Kigali, King Faisal Hospital is a private facility that offers 24-hour assistance with physicians and nurses on duty in the emergency room.  Ambulances are available in Kigali through the Service d’Aide médicale d’Urgence (Emergency Medical Service, SAMU) by calling 912 from any mobile phone, or through King Faisal Hospital at (+250) 078 830 9003.  Proof of yellow fever vaccine may be requested for all travelers over nine months of age, especially those who visited countries where yellow fever is endemic or had a recent outbreak; travelers who cannot show proof of vaccination may not be permitted to enter Rwanda.

Malaria is endemic to Rwanda.  You are strongly encouraged to take prophylactic medications to prevent malaria.  More information can be found on the CDC website.  Prophylactic medications should be initiated prior to entry into the endemic area.  Some malaria prophylaxis medicines are not available in Rwanda and, because of possible counterfeiting of antimalarial medications, should be obtained from a reliable pharmaceutical source before arrival.

Regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries.  Medicare does not pay for any medical care received outside of the United States or its territories.  Having coverage is important, as medical evacuation from Rwanda may cost more than $80,000. 

The U.S. Embassy maintains a current list of physicians and other information regarding medical care in Rwanda.

Local time, business hours, and holidays

Local Time:  GMT + 2

Business Hours:  8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Friday.  Rwanda observes several public holidays throughout the year.  The week following Genocide Memorial Day on April 7 is designated as an official week of mourning.  In addition, the last Saturday of every month is designated as a national day of community service, or Umuganda.  Most businesses close, and road traffic is prohibited until approximately midday.  In November 2023, the government of Rwanda adjusted official working hours for civil servants, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Employees in the private sector and government essential services (health, etc.) continued to follow normal schedules.

The Government of Rwanda maintains a list of holidays. 

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings

Items contained in the personal luggage of travelers are exempt from custom duties when items are not for commercial purpose.  Commercial samples are exempt from custom duties when their combined value does not exceed 100,000 Rwandan francs (approximately $100) but should be declared.

For a complete list of items exempt from custom duties under Rwandan law and for a comprehensive list of the required accompanying documentation, contact RRA.

Non-biodegradable single-use plastic bags are banned in Rwanda.  Travelers carrying them upon arrival at the Kigali International Airport may have them confiscated.  Passengers with luggage wrapped in plastic sheeting may be required to remove the plastic before they are allowed to depart the airport.

More information on personal effects and passenger’s baggage

• A list of prohibited and restricted goods
• Information on merchandise in baggage
• Information on exempted goods for travelers
• Information on Rwanda country travel