Real Estate in Rwanda

Foreigners cannot hold freehold land except by Presidential Order, but they can hold emphyteutic leases: 49 years for residential, commercial and industrial land and 99 years for farm and forest land. A private foreign buyer may hold one house plot or one apartment, and more only with an approved investment plan.

After a voluntary sale, the land transfer is done in 7 working days, or one day for commercial and industrial property. The transfer service and the new title are free; a public notary charges RWF 500 per notarised page.

Immovable property tax is 0.5% a year on a residential building and 0.3% on a commercial building. Land tax is up to RWF 80 per m² a year, and rental income tax runs from 0% to 30% after a 50% deduction for costs.

The average bank lending rate was 15.78% in the first half of 2026. The Gira Iwawe scheme for first-time buyers offers mortgages at 11% to 13% for up to 20 years.