Key facts
Capital, population, languages, currency and time zone.
26,338 km², total area
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About Rwanda
About Rwanda
Key facts, history, national days, public holidays, business etiquette, culture, food and languages.
About Rwanda
About Rwanda
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History
From the kingdom to independence, 1994 and today.
1 July 1962 Independence Day
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Umuganda and national days
Community work mornings, Kwibuka, Heroes Day and Umuganura.
Last Saturday Of each month, the Umuganda morning
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Public holidays and business hours
The 15 holidays, the weekend rule and working hours.
15 Official public holidays a year
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Business etiquette
Greetings, meetings, dress and getting agreements in writing.
English, French The usual languages of business
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Culture and traditions
Intore, Imigongo, baskets and the harvest festival.
2024 Intore inscribed by UNESCO
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Food
Isombe, brochettes, coffee, tea and Kigali’s restaurants.
USD 148.6m Coffee export revenue in 2025, a record
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Famous Rwandans
Leaders, economists, writers, athletes and national heroes.
2019 Louise Mushikiwabo takes office at the Francophonie
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Languages
Kinyarwanda, English, French, Kiswahili and useful words.
4 Official languages
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Climate
Rainy seasons, temperatures by altitude and when to travel.
21°C Average temperature in Kigali
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Practical tips
Visas, money, SIM cards, transport, dress and emergency numbers.
112 Emergency number
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11 guides
Food
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Rwanda and Other African Countries: People and Land
Population, land and age in Rwanda and five other African countries, from the World Bank.
| Measure | Rwanda | Kenya | Ethiopia | Ghana | Morocco | Botswana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population, 20251 | 14,569,341 | 57,532,493 | 135,472,051 | 35,064,272 | 38,430,770 | 2,562,122 |
| Land and water area, 20242 | 26,340 km² | 591,970 km² | 1,129,819 km² | 238,539 km² | 446,550 km² | 581,730 km² |
| People per square kilometre of land, 20243 | 599.9 | 97.2 | 117.7 | 151.3 | 85.3 | 4.4 |
| Population growth, 20254 | 2.2% | 1.9% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 0.9% | 1.6% |
| Aged 0 to 14, share of people, 20255 | 37.0% | 36.3% | 38.8% | 35.4% | 25.2% | 32.0% |
| Life expectancy at birth, years, 20246 | 68.0 | 63.8 | 67.6 | 65.7 | 75.5 | 69.3 |
- World Bank: population, total
- World Bank: surface area (sq. km)
- World Bank: population density (people per sq. km of land area)
- World Bank: population growth (annual %)
- World Bank: population ages 0-14 (% of total population)
- World Bank: life expectancy at birth, total (years)
Checked: November 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the official languages of Rwanda?
Rwanda has four official languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French and Kiswahili, which became official in 2017. English and French are the usual languages of business.
How many people live in Rwanda?
The August 2022 census counted 13,246,394 residents on a total area of 26,338 km², or 503 people per km². Life expectancy at birth was 69.6 years.
What is Umuganda?
Umuganda is the community work morning held on the last Saturday of each month. Taking part is required for residents aged 18 to 65, and most shops and offices stay closed during the morning, with road traffic held back until about midday.
How many public holidays does Rwanda have?
Rwanda has 15 official public holidays a year under the 2017 Presidential Order. Government offices work from 9:00 to 17:00, and the country is on Central Africa Time, UTC+2, all year.
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Plan Your Time in Rwanda
The provinces, cities and economic zones, and the companies that can help you settle in, in the InvestRwanda.com directory.