Doing business in Rwanda

Rwanda's legal system has civil law roots and has absorbed common law elements since the country joined the East African Community and the Commonwealth. The Rwanda Development Board houses the Office of the Registrar General and the investment promotion function; the Rwanda Revenue Authority collects taxes and customs; the National Bank of Rwanda regulates banks and payments and is involved in approving profit repatriation; the National Cyber Security Authority oversees personal data protection; and commercial courts hear business disputes.

Key facts

Corporate income tax

28% standard rate

VAT

18% standard rate

Main entity form

Private company limited by shares; branch of a foreign company

Foreign ownership

No statutory limits on foreign ownership or control

Profit repatriation

Allowed after tax, with documentation submitted to the National Bank of Rwanda for approval

Data protection

Law No. 058/2021; National Cyber Security Authority; storage abroad needs authorisation

New York Convention

Party (acceded 2008, in force 29 January 2009)

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Foreign investors usually register a private company limited by shares or a branch, and businesses can be registered online through the Rwanda Development Board. Rwanda has no statutory limits on foreign ownership or control, and an investment certificate can unlock incentives for projects that meet set criteria. Beneficial ownership information is part of company registration.

Key facts

• Registration is online through the Rwanda Development Board.

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• Foreign investors can generally hold 100% of a Rwandan company, as there are no statutory limits on foreign ownership.

• Beneficial ownership disclosure is part of registration and must be kept current.

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• An investment certificate is optional but needed to claim most investment incentives.

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Who handles this in RwandaCorporate & Entity Services · Lydie N. MurorunkwereLegal & ContractingGovernment & Regulatory Affairs

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2 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Key facts

• Model corporate tax at the 28% standard rate, and check whether a reduced or turnover-based regime applies.

• Dividends, interest, royalties and service fees attract 15% withholding tax unless reduced by one of Rwanda's treaties.

Who handles this in RwandaTax & International Structuring · Lilianne GasangoAccounting, Reporting & Statutory Compliance

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3 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Key facts

• Budget for pension contributions of 12% in total from 2025, rising in steps to 20% by 2030, plus maternity and occupational hazards contributions.

• Contracts and termination must follow the 2018 labour law, including notice and severance where due.

Who handles this in RwandaEmployment, Payroll & MobilityLegal & Contracting

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2 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

The Kigali Special Economic Zone is regulated by the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda. Public procurement runs through an electronic system, and foreign land rights should be checked against the land law.

Key facts

• Special economic zones, regulated by SEZAR, can suit manufacturers, logistics and export businesses.

• Government tenders are run online, so register on the e-procurement system early.

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• Capital raising and listings fall under the Capital Market Authority.

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Who handles this in RwandaGovernment & Regulatory AffairsLegal & ContractingTax & International Structuring · Lilianne Gasango

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Banks apply anti-money laundering checks, and mobile money is widely used.

Key facts

• Profits can be repatriated after tax, but plan for the documentation the National Bank of Rwanda requires.

• Expect full KYC on directors and beneficial owners at account opening.

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• Mobile money is a practical channel for retail payments and payroll.

Who handles this in RwandaPayments, Foreign Exchange & SettlementBanking & Capital AccessRisk, Compliance & Financial IntegrityFinance & Treasury

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Rwanda is part of the East African Community, applies the EAC Common External Tariff and belongs to COMESA, and it hosted the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. As a landlocked country it relies on regional transport corridors, and the Rwanda Revenue Authority runs customs through the Rwanda Electronic Single Window.

Key facts

• Imports from outside the EAC pay the common external tariff (0%, 10%, 25% or 35%); EAC-originating goods get community rates if they meet the rules of origin.

• Plan logistics around transit through Kenya or Tanzania and the regional corridors.

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• Customs runs through the Rwanda Electronic Single Window, and standards checks through the Rwanda Standards Board.

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• AfCFTA and COMESA can lower duties on intra-African trade if origin rules are met.

Who handles this in RwandaTrade, Customs & Supply ChainGovernment & Regulatory Affairs

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2 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Key facts

• Hosting personal data outside Rwanda needs authorisation, which affects cloud and group IT choices.

Who handles this in RwandaTechnology, Data & CyberLegal & Contracting

Industrial property and copyright are governed by Law No. 055/2024 on the protection of intellectual property, in force since 31 July 2024, and the national IP office is the Office of the Registrar General within the Rwanda Development Board. Rwanda belongs to the Paris, PCT, Madrid and Hague systems and to ARIPO.

Key facts

• Register trademarks with the Office of the Registrar General at RDB or designate Rwanda through the Madrid Protocol.

• Patent protection can come through the PCT national phase or ARIPO under the Harare Protocol.

• Copyright is governed by the 2024 law; keep evidence of ownership.

Who handles this in RwandaIntellectual Property & Brand ProtectionLegal & Contracting

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Mergers and acquisitions are reviewed by the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority, and regional deals may also fall under COMESA. Insolvency is governed by a law adopted in December 2021, and takeovers of listed companies fall under the Capital Market Authority.

Key facts

• Check RICA notification requirements for deals involving Rwandan businesses.

• Assess COMESA notification in parallel for multi-country deals.

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• The December 2021 insolvency law governs restructuring and insolvency proceedings.

• Listed targets bring Capital Market Authority rules into play.

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Who handles this in RwandaTransactions & Deals · Lydie N. MurorunkwereLegal & ContractingGovernment & Regulatory Affairs

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Rwanda criminalises corruption, and corruption can be reported to the Office of the Ombudsman. Financial institutions and designated businesses have anti-money laundering duties, and whistle-blowers have legal protection.

Key facts

• Apply anti-bribery controls to dealings in both the public and private sectors; the Ombudsman receives corruption reports.

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• Designated businesses outside banking also have anti-money laundering duties.

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• Internal reporting channels should reflect whistle-blower protections.

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Who handles this in RwandaRisk, Compliance & Financial IntegrityLegal & Contracting

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Business disputes are heard by the courts, including specialised commercial courts. Arbitration is governed by 2008 legislation based on the UNCITRAL Model Law, the Kigali International Arbitration Centre was launched in 2012, and Rwanda is a party to the New York Convention.

Key facts

• Commercial courts give access to specialist judges for contract and company disputes.

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• Kigali can serve as an arbitration seat, with Model Law based legislation and an established centre.

• Arbitral awards are enforceable in Rwanda and abroad under the New York Convention.

• Investors may have treaty-based access to ICSID arbitration.

Who handles this in RwandaDisputes & ResolutionLegal & Contracting