Invest in Nyagatare
Why Nyagatare
Rwanda chose six secondary cities as poles of growth outside Kigali. The national urbanisation policy sets Nyagatare’s role as: Cattle and dairy region, commercial hub of the east.
- Agro-processing: the Nyagatare industrial park, 200 ha with 4 companies, is for agro-processing only.
- Dairy and cattle: the role set for the city in the national urbanisation policy.
- Border: Kagitumba, a border post with Uganda.
- Workforce: median monthly pay of RWF 26,000 and unemployment of 10.0%, both below the national figures.
Key figures
| Figure | Nyagatare | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2022 census) | 653,861 | 13,246,394 |
| People per km² | 373 | 503 |
| Living in urban areas | 24.1% | 27.9% |
| Unemployment (2025) | 10.0% | 12.4% |
| Labour force participation (2025) | 62.6% | 63.8% |
| Median monthly pay at the main job (2025) | RWF 26,000 | RWF 39,000 |
Figures are for the whole district, town and countryside. The 2025 district estimates come from a sample survey, so small differences are not significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role does the government give Nyagatare?
Cattle and dairy region, and commercial hub of the east.
What is the Nyagatare industrial park for?
Agro-processing. It covers 200 ha and had only 4 companies.
How many people live in Nyagatare?
653,861, the most populous district outside Kigali.
Which border post is nearby?
Kagitumba, which leads to Uganda.
Sources
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: Fifth Population and Housing Census 2022, Main Indicators Report
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: Labour Force Survey 2025, annual tables
- Ministry of Infrastructure: National Urbanization Policy (2015)
- Ministry of Trade and Industry: Annual Report 2024-2025
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Border management
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
