Kigali Special Economic Zone

The phases

Source: Rwanda Development Board: SEZ and export facilitation; Rwanda Development Board: Manufacturing investment opportunities^1,2

Phases I and II have roads, power, water, firefighting networks, sewage treatment and fibre. The zone has 13.75 km of roads, 49 km of power and water networks and 24 km of fibre. Work on phases III and IV is being prepared.^1,5

Land and payment terms

• Land is leased through the zone developer, the Prime Economic Zone Secretariat, which signs the agreement with each company.
• The 2026 U.S. Investment Climate Statement gives a listed price of USD 50 per m², with a one-hectare minimum. Some companies report paying more than USD 100. RDB’s SEZ page still shows USD 62.
• RDB advertises a 30 % down payment and a two-year grace period at 10 % interest on the rest. In phase II, the grace period was one year at 15 %.
• Foreigners and Rwandans can only lease land in the zone.

Ask the developer for a written quote before you budget. Prices and terms are set by the developer, not by law.

Who can set up

• Light industry may set up in designated areas of the zone, for example packaging, clothing, packaged food, printing and furniture.
• Heavy industry is directed to Bugesera, Musanze and Muhanga. Phases III and IV of the Kigali zone cannot take heavy industry, because they are close to homes.
• Companies that export more than 80 % of their output outside the East African Community can apply for Export Processing Zone status.

What investors report

The U.S. Investment Climate Statement notes that some investors report problems with utilities in the zone, and that land in the zone costs more than land outside it. A 2024 rule to take back plots that are not 70 % developed within 18 months has not yet been applied.