Invest in Rusizi
Why Rusizi
Rwanda chose six secondary cities as poles of growth outside Kigali. The national urbanisation policy sets Rusizi’s role as: Cross-border trade and transport logistics, Nyungwe forest.
- Borders: Rusizi I, Rusizi II and Bugarama crossings to the DRC.
- Port: Rusizi port, under construction, for 1.3 million t of cargo and 2.3 million passengers a year.
- Air: Kamembe International Airport, served by turboprop aircraft.
- Industry: the Rusizi industrial park, 41.4 ha with 16 companies, for light industry.
Key figures
| Figure | Rusizi | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2022 census) | 485,529 | 13,246,394 |
| People per km² | 871 | 503 |
| Living in urban areas | 33.4% | 27.9% |
| Unemployment (2025) | 15.0% | 12.4% |
| Labour force participation (2025) | 56.2% | 63.8% |
| Median monthly pay at the main job (2025) | RWF 39,000 | 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 Rusizi?
Cross-border trade and transport logistics, close to Nyungwe forest.
What transport links does Rusizi have?
Kamembe airport, a lake port under construction and the Rusizi II one-stop border post, completed in 2024/25.
How large is the Rusizi industrial park?
41.4 ha, with 16 companies.
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
- Ministry of Trade and Industry: Rusizi port construction at 56% completion, two more ports set to begin
- Rwanda Airports Company: Airports
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
