CapitalKigali
Population13,623,302
Area26,338 km²
GDP per capita$3,300
LanguagesKinyarwanda, French <
CurrencyRwandan francs
Life Expectancy66.6 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
Rwanda, a compact and centrally located nation characterized by its mountainous terrain and rich volcanic soil, has wielded considerable influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. From the mid-18th century onwards, a Rwandan kingdom began to assert dominance over the area, as Tutsi monarchs progressively expanded their royal court's authority into surrounding regions while broadening their territory through military conquests. Although the contemporary ethnic identifiers Hutu and Tutsi existed prior to colonialism, their significance and adaptability have fluctuated over the years, often reflecting more of a class hierarchy than a distinct ethnic or cultural separation. Both the majority Hutu and the minority Tutsi have historically shared a common language and cultural practices, with frequent intermarriage occurring between the two groups.
The Tutsi king, known as mwami, was at the heart of the Rwandan royal court, which depended on a vast network of political, cultural, and economic connections. The social categories became increasingly rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who prioritized aggressive territorial expansion and the reinforcement of Rwanda's bureaucratic systems. The German colonial conquest commenced in the late 1890s, with the territory being handed over to Belgian forces in 1916 during World War I. Both colonial powers quickly recognized the advantages of governing through the established Tutsi monarchy. Colonial governance amplified the trends towards autocratic and exclusionary practices, resulting in the dismantling of traditional authority positions held by Hutus. Belgian administrators raised the demands for communal labor and imposed severe taxation, leading to widespread discontent among the population. Shifts in political sentiment within Belgium also played a role, as colonial and Catholic officials began to redirect their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the period leading up to independence.
Deep-rooted grievances regarding minority rule erupted in 1959, three years prior to gaining independence from Belgium, when Hutus successfully overthrew the Tutsi king. In the aftermath, thousands of Tutsis were killed over the subsequent years, and around 150,000 were forced into exile in neighboring nations. In 1973, Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA took control of the government in a coup, ruling Rwanda as a single-party state for twenty years. HABYARIMANA's regime increasingly marginalized Tutsis, and extremist factions among the Hutu population gained traction following the introduction of multiple political parties in the early 1990s. The offspring of Tutsi exiles formed a rebel group known as the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), initiating a civil war in 1990. The conflict heightened ethnic tensions and culminated in the 1994 shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet. This incident triggered a state-sponsored genocide, resulting in the deaths of over 800,000 Rwandans, including about three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide concluded later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating from Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias, leading to the establishment of a government of national unity led by the RPF. Rwanda conducted its inaugural local elections in 1999, followed by its first presidential and legislative elections post-genocide in 2003, which solidified President Paul KAGAME’s de facto leadership. KAGAME was officially elected in 2010 and again in 2017 after amending the constitution to permit a third term candidacy.
Geography
Area
land
24,668 sq km
water
1,670 sq km
total
26,338 sq km
Climate
temperate climate with two rainy periods (February to April, November to January); mild temperatures in mountainous regions, where frost and snow may occur
Terrain
predominantly grassy highlands and hills; the terrain is mountainous, with elevation decreasing from west to east
Land use
other
0% (2023 est.)
forest
24.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
76.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 47% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 13.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 15.6% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Central Africa, to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and north of Burundi
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Rusizi River 950 m
highest point
Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
mean elevation
1,598 m
Irrigated land
96 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
930 km
border countries
Burundi 315 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km; Tanzania 222 km; Uganda 172 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
experiences occasional droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are situated in the northwest, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo
volcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), the only historically active volcano in the country, is located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geography - note
a landlocked nation; the majority of the territory is rugged and intensively farmed, with a largely rural population
Natural resources
gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, cultivable land
Area - comparative
slightly smaller in size than Maryland
Geographic coordinates
2 00 S, 30 00 E
Population distribution
recognized as one of the most densely populated nations in Africa; significant population clusters are found in the central areas and along the western shores of Lake Kivu, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Kivu (jointly managed with the Democratic Republic of the Congo) - 2,220 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Source of the Nile river (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note: [s] following the country name indicates river source; [m] following the country name indicates river mouth
People & Society
Literacy
male
81% (2022 est.)
female
76.7% (2022 est.)
total population
78.8% (2022 est.)
Languages
Languages
Kinyarwanda (official, widely spoken Bantu language) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1%, English (official) <0.1%, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, prevalent in commercial areas) <0.1%, multilingual, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (estimate from 2002)
major-language sample(s)
Inkoranya nzimbuzi y'isi, isoko fatizo y'amakuru y'ibanze. (Kinyarwanda)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Catholic 39.9%, Pentecostal 21.3%, Protestant 14.6%, Adventist 12.2%, other Christians 4.2%, no religion 3.0%, Muslim 2.0%, other religions 2.0%; less than 1%: Jehovah Witness, not specified, Animist (2022 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.95 male(s)/female
total population
0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.67 male(s)/female
Birth rate
25.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
20.1 years
total
21.3 years (2025 est.)
female
21.5 years
Population
male
6,684,655
total
13,623,302 (2024 est.)
female
6,938,647
Nationality
noun
Rwandan(s)
adjective
Rwandan
Tobacco use
male
17% (2025 est.)
total
11.4% (2025 est.)
female
6.3% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
17.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
37.2% (male 2,561,884/female 2,508,218)
15-64 years
59.7% (male 3,954,608/female 4,179,844)
65 years and over
3.1% (2024 est.) (male 168,163/female 250,585)
Ethnic groups
Hutu, Tutsi, Twa
Child marriage
men married by age 18
0.4% (2020)
women married by age 15
0.3% (2020)
women married by age 18
5.5% (2020)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
67.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
62.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
19.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.1 (2024 est.)
Physician density
0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
3.2 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 60.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 65.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 88.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 39.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 34.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 11.9% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
13.9% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
27.3 deaths/1,000 live births
total
27.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
22.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
2% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.58 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
recognized as one of the most densely populated nations in Africa; significant population clusters are primarily found in the central areas and along the western shoreline of Lake Kivu, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Life expectancy at birth
male
64.6 years
female
68.6 years
total population
66.6 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
229 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 87% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 87.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 91.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 13% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 12.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 8.6% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
6.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.248 million KIGALI (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.8% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
23 years (2019/20 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
49.9% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
7.7% (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
13 years (2023 est.)
total
13 years (2023 est.)
female
13 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
temperate climate characterized by two distinct rainy seasons occurring from February to April and from November to January; mountainous regions experience mild temperatures, with potential for frost and snowfall
Land use
other
0% (2023 est.)
forest
24.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
76.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 47% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 13.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 15.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
17.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
4.385 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
11.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; overgrazing; degradation of land; erosion of soil; reduction in soil fertility (soil exhaustion); deterioration of wetlands and loss of biodiversity; extensive poaching
Total water withdrawal
municipal
230 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
10 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
361 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
1.645 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
124,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
226,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
1.295 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
35.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
13.3 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
Law of the Sea
Government
Flag
description: features three horizontal stripes of sky blue (top, twice the width), yellow, and green, accompanied by a golden sun with 24 rays positioned at the right end of the blue band
meaning: blue symbolizes happiness and peace, yellow represents economic growth and mineral riches, while green signifies hope for prosperity and natural resources; the sun denotes unity and enlightenment
Capital
name
Kigali
etymology
the city derives its name from the nearby Mount Kigali; the nomenclature consists of the Bantu prefix ki- and the Rwandan term gali, which translates to "broad," likely referring to the landscape
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
1 57 S, 30 03 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father's status is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
several prior versions; the most recent was adopted via referendum on 26 May 2003, coming into effect on 4 June 2003
amendment process
initiated by the president of the republic (with consent from the Council of Ministers) or by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Parliament; to pass, it requires at least a three-quarters majority in both chambers; alterations to constitutional provisions concerning national sovereignty, presidential terms, government structure, and political pluralism also necessitate a referendum for approval
Country name
former
Kingdom of Rwanda, Ruanda, German East Africa
etymology
the nation is named after an indigenous ethnic group, although the meaning of their name remains unclear
local long form
Republika y'u Rwanda
local short form
Rwanda
conventional long form
Republic of Rwanda
conventional short form
Rwanda
Independence
1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)
Legal system
a hybrid legal system combining civil law, influenced by German and Belgian standards, and customary law; the Supreme Court evaluates legislative actions
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (composed of the chief and deputy chief justices along with 5 judges, typically arranged into panels of 3 judges); High Court (includes the court president, vice president, and at least 24 judges divided into 5 chambers)
subordinate courts
High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and specialized military courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president following discussions with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member assembly of judges, legal officials, and other legal experts, and must be confirmed by the Senate; the chief and deputy chief justices are appointed for nonrenewable 8-year terms; judge tenure details are not available; the president of the High Court and the vice president are appointed by the president of the republic with Senate approval; judges are appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court with SCJ endorsement; judge tenure details are not available
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)
election results
2024: Paul KAGAME reelected as president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 99.2%, Frank HABINEZA (DGPR) 0.5%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.3%
2017: Paul KAGAME reelected as president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) and other candidates 1.2%
head of government
Prime Minister Justin NSENGIYUMVA (since 23 July 2025)
most recent election date
4 August 2017
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through a simple-majority popular vote for a term of 5 years (eligible for a subsequent term); the prime minister is appointed by the president
expected date of next election
15 July 2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi, and Bisesero (c); Nyungwe National Park (n)
Political parties
Democratic Green Party of Rwanda or DGPR
Liberal Party or PL
Party for Progress and Concord or PPC
Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF
Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition (comprises RPF, PPC, PSP, UDPR, PDI, PSR, PDC)
Social Democratic Party or PSD
Social Party Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parlement (Parliament)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)
history
adopted 2001
lyrics/music
Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA
National symbol(s)
traditional woven basket with peaked lid
Administrative divisions
4 provinces (provinces, singular - province (French); intara for both singular and plural (Kinyarwanda)) and 1 city* (ville (French); umujyi (Kinyarwanda)); East (Eastern), Kigali*, North (Northern), West (Western), South (Southern)
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Députés)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
80 (53 directly elected; 27 indirectly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
7/15/2024 to 7/16/2024
expected date of next election
July 2029
percentage of women in chamber
63.8%
parties elected and seats per party
Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR) and affiliates (37); Liberal Party (PL) (5); Social Democratic Party (PSD) (5); Others (6)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Sénat)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
26 (18 indirectly elected; 8 appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/16/2024 to 9/16/2024
expected date of next election
September 2029
percentage of women in chamber
53.8%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-4544
chancery
1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 232-2882
chief of mission
Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 18 July 2013)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://rwandaembassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[250] 252 580-325
embassy
2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie (Kaciyiru), P. O. Box 28 Kigali
telephone
[250] 252 596-400
mailing address
2210 Kigali Place, Washington DC 20521-2210
chief of mission
Ambassador Eric KNEEDLER (since 3 October 2023)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://rw.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not provided a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; is not a party to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$3.41 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$3.996 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$2.11 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$2.993 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$3.509 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$3.856 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$4.978 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$5.783 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes
Labor force
5.671 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
37.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
3.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
3.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
3.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
943.278 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
988.625 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1,030.308 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1,160.099 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
1,318.128 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$5.531 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
economy situated in low-income Sub-Saharan region; growth driven by sectors of services, industry, and agriculture; government expenditure on human capital, energy, and healthcare has increased; significant infrastructure initiatives such as the Bugesera Airport are aimed at supporting sustainable growth; challenges faced include limited economic diversification, elevated inflation, and a substantial current account deficit.
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
15.1% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
12.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
12% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
UAE 66%, China 10%, USA 3%, Kenya 3%, Thailand 2% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 19%, Kenya 14%, Uganda 13%, Tanzania 9%, UAE 7% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$2,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$3,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$3,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
8.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
8.2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
8.9% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, potatoes, maize, beans, pumpkins/squash, taro, sorghum (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, rare earth ores, coffee, tea, tin ores (2023)
Imports - commodities
broadcasting equipment, fish, corn, packaged medicine, plastic products (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$1.209 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$1.246 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$1.654 billion (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
13.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$14.252 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
64.9% (2024 est.)
government consumption
17.1% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
-3.2% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
29.1% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
30.8% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-39.1% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
38.2% (2016 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
17.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
19.8% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.8% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
10% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$39.485 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$42.743 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$46.543 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
15.8% (2024 est.)
total
17.5% (2024 est.)
female
19.4% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$1.726 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.834 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$2.406 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
21% (2024 est.)
services
47.6% (2024 est.)
agriculture
24.6% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.4% (2016 est.)
highest 10%
35.6% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016
43.7 (2016 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
89,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
123,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
9,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
8.674 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
32 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
876.401 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
294,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
197.606 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
production
63.666 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
63.696 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
56.634 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
38.2%
electrification - urban areas
98%
electrification - total population
50.6% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
1.808 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
3.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
43.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
52.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
34% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
There are 13 television channels and 35 radio stations, which encompass international broadcasters; the government possesses the majority of the most-watched television and radio stations; regional satellite television is accessible.
Internet country code
.rw
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
8,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2023 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
12.8 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
80 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
62,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2023 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Airports
8 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9XR
Military & Security
Military - note
The Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) is primarily tasked with the preservation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the prevention of infiltration by illegal armed factions from adjacent nations, notably the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since 2021, Rwanda has stationed RDF forces in the border area with the DRC to confront the rebel group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which Rwanda alleges is supported by the DRC. Additionally, Rwanda faces accusations from the DRC, the United Nations, and the United States regarding the deployment of RDF personnel within the DRC and the provision of material aid to the March 23 Movement (M23), also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army. The RDF is also involved in military operations under the auspices of the UN and regional coalitions, as well as multinational drills. Since 2021, the RDF has sent several thousand troops and police officers to Mozambique to aid in countering an insurgency. Furthermore, Rwanda has mutual defense agreements with both Kenya and Uganda.
The Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were formed in the aftermath of independence in 1962. Following the civil war and genocide from 1990 to 1994, the military wing of the victorious Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front, known as the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), emerged as the country's military force. The RPA took part in both the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars. In 2003, the RPA was rebranded as the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), by which time it had developed a more national composition with the integration of numerous former Hutu officers alongside newly recruited soldiers (2025).
Military deployments
An estimated 3,200 personnel are deployed in the Central African Republic (approximately 2,200 under MINUSCA, plus about 700 police; roughly 1,000 under a bilateral agreement); estimates suggest 3,000 to 4,000 are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; around 3,000 are in Mozambique (under a bilateral agreement aimed at combating an insurgency, comprising both military and police units); and approximately 2,600 (along with about 450 police) are in South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Rwanda Defense Force (RDF; Ingabo z’u Rwanda): comprises the Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR), Rwanda Reserve Force, and Special Units.
Ministry of Internal Security: Rwanda National Police (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Voluntary military service typically accepts individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 for both men and women (including officer candidates and those possessing university degrees and specialized skills). Enlistment can be as a contract (5 years, renewable twice) or as a career professional; there is no conscription (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The RDF's equipment portfolio includes a combination of older and more modern assets sourced from suppliers such as China, France, Israel, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, and Türkiye (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active personnel count for the Rwanda Defense Forces is approximately 30,000 to 35,000 (2025).
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — the administration did not show significant advancements in combating trafficking relative to the prior reporting period, resulting in Rwanda retaining its position on the Tier 2 Watch List for a second consecutive year; for further information, visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/rwanda
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
21,948 (2024 est.)
refugees
128,561 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
14,500 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Rwanda Space Agency (L’Agence Spatiale Rwandaise; RSA; founded in 2020 and sanctioned by the legislature in 2021) (2025)
Space program overview
maintains a modest initiative aimed at advancing space technologies, including satellite communication and imaging for purposes such as connectivity, disaster response, security, and socioeconomic progress; manages communication and remote sensing (RS) satellites; has formed collaborations with various countries' space agencies or industries, such as those of France, Israel, Japan, Poland, the UAE, and the US, alongside members of the African Space Agency; aspires to position itself as a center for satellite manufacturing in Africa and has promoted the growth of a local commercial space industry (2025)
Key space-program milestones
2018 - entered into a partnership agreement with Japan for training in the design and production of mini-satellites
2019 - launched the first remote sensing (RS) nanosatellite (RWASAT-1) with support from and under the launch of Japan; also saw the launch of the first commercial communications satellite (Icyerekezo), developed with France
2022 - became a signatory to the US-led Artemis Accords concerning space exploration
2025 - became a member of the newly established African Space Agency
