Western Province
The districts
Districts at a glance
| District | Population (2022) | People per km² | Urban | Unemployment (2025) | Median monthly pay (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubavu | 546,683 | 1,614 | 53.9% | 12.7% | RWF 52,000 |
| Rusizi | 485,529 | 871 | 33.4% | 15.0% | RWF 39,000 |
| Nyamasheke | 434,221 | 632 | 7.7% | 18.4% | RWF 39,000 |
| Karongi | 373,869 | 482 | 9.0% | 12.1% | RWF 31,200 |
| Rutsiro | 369,180 | 565 | 5.6% | 15.6% | RWF 31,200 |
| Ngororero | 367,955 | 551 | 4.9% | 8.6% | RWF 31,200 |
| Nyabihu | 319,047 | 642 | 24.5% | 7.0% | RWF 39,000 |
Population, density and urban share are from the 2022 census. Unemployment and median monthly pay at the main job are 2025 Labour Force Survey estimates; district samples are small, so treat district differences of one or two points with care. National 2025 figures: unemployment 12.4%, median monthly pay RWF 39,000.
What the province offers investors
- Industrial parks: Rubavu, 226 ha (light industry), Rusizi, 41.4 ha with 16 companies, and Nyabihu, 50 ha with 10 companies (agro-processing only).
- Lake Kivu: methane power plants in Rubavu and Karongi, and a new port in Rubavu, opened in December 2024, with ports at Rusizi, Karongi and Nkora to follow.
- Borders with the DRC: La Corniche and Poids Lourds in Rubavu, Rusizi I and II and Bugarama in Rusizi.
- Gishwati-Mukura National Park: 3,558 ha in Rutsiro and Ngororero districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in the Western Province?
2,896,484 in seven districts.
Which districts are on Lake Kivu?
Five of the seven. The lake has the country’s methane power plants and new lake ports.
Which are its secondary cities?
Rubavu and Rusizi. They face Goma and Bukavu, across the border in the DRC.
How large is the Rubavu industrial park?
226 ha.
Sources
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: Fifth Population and Housing Census 2022, Main Indicators Report
- geoBoundaries: Rwanda districts (ADM2), CC BY 4.0
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: Labour Force Survey 2025, annual tables
- Ministry of Trade and Industry: Annual Report 2024-2025
- Rwanda Transport Development Agency: Official inauguration of Rubavu Port
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Border management
- RwandaLII: Law N° 45/2015 of 15/10/2015 establishing Gishwati-Mukura National Park
- Rwanda Energy Group: Methane gas
- Ministry of Trade and Industry: Rusizi port construction at 56% completion, two more ports set to begin
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
