Invest in Rubavu
Why Rubavu
Rwanda chose six secondary cities as poles of growth outside Kigali. The national urbanisation policy sets Rubavu’s role as: International gateway city and tourism.
- Port: Rubavu port opened in December 2024, with capacity for 700,000 t of cargo and 2.7 million passengers a year.
- Power: the Shema Power Lake Kivu plant at Nyamyumba, 56 MW from the lake’s methane.
- Industry: the Rubavu industrial park, 226 ha, for light industry.
- Borders: La Corniche and Poids Lourds to Goma; check the current status before you plan a crossing.
Key figures
| Figure | Rubavu | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2022 census) | 546,683 | 13,246,394 |
| People per km² | 1,614 | 503 |
| Living in urban areas | 53.9% | 27.9% |
| Unemployment (2025) | 12.7% | 12.4% |
| Labour force participation (2025) | 68.7% | 63.8% |
| Median monthly pay at the main job (2025) | RWF 52,000 | 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 Rubavu?
International gateway city and tourism.
What infrastructure does Rubavu have?
The new lake port, the Shema methane power plant and a 226 ha industrial park.
How urban is Rubavu?
53.9%, the most urban district outside Kigali. It had 546,683 people in 2022.
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
- Rwanda Transport Development Agency: Official inauguration of Rubavu Port
- Rwanda Energy Group: Methane gas
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Border management
- Rwanda Airports Company: Airports
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
