Property on Lake Kivu

The 50 m public shoreline

Under the National Land Use and Development Master Plan and a Ministerial Order of 2010 on protected zones, the land within 50 metres of the shore of a lake is part of the public domain. No settlement or building is allowed there. A plot that reaches the water therefore stops, in law, 50 m back from it, whatever the seller says.

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority enforces the rule. Under the environment law of 2018, building in a protected zone is fined RWF 500,000, and the structure is demolished. In 2025 this included private sand beaches and buildings on the shore in Rubavu.

The lake districts

Plans for the lakeshore

Rubavu’s land use plan sets a tourism zone round the lake, with plans for a waterfront park and a marina. The national master plan lists eight Lake Kivu ports: Rusizi, Karongi, Rubavu, Nkora, Nyamirundi, Nkombo, Kirambo and Rugali. Land near a planned port or public space may be needed for it, so check the district plan.

Checks before you buy

• Get the plot’s title and survey plan from the National Land Authority and see where the 50 m line falls.
• Check the zoning in the district land use plan: tourism, residential or agriculture.
• Ask the district whether any building on the plot has a permit.
• Ask the district whether the plot is near a planned port, park or public beach.
• A foreign private buyer may hold one house plot or one apartment, as anywhere in Rwanda; more needs an approved investment plan.