Rwanda Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in rwanda, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Travel and Tourism
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Overview

Rwanda’s growing travel and tourism industry is anchored by world-renowned conservation assets (mountain gorillas, volcanoes, four national parks), a thriving conference business, and an expanding hospitality sector.  Rwanda’s government pursues a strategy emphasizing eco-tourism, conservation, and premium travel experiences across all its parks and cultural sites. Opportunities for investors and operators abound in hotels, transport, event management, eco-parks, and tourism training schools. Strategic investments in infrastructure, airline connectivity, and eco-tourism have built a resilient and growing sector with record visitor spending, employment, and contribution to GDP growth in general. 

In 2024, Rwanda’s travel and tourism sector contributed a record $1.5 billion to the national economy, representing 9.8% of GDP and a 17.7% increase over 2019 levels. The tourism sector’s employment is estimated at 386,000 people.

Rwanda’s strategy for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) is putting the country on the map globally. Rwanda ranks third in Africa in terms of business conferences and events, surpassed only by South Africa and Morocco. The City of Kigali ranks second in Africa—only after Cape Town—in conferences and events hosted annually. The Kigali Convention Center was awarded “Best Convention Center” in 2024 by the World MICE Awards at their 5th annual event. The Rwanda Convention Bureau leads efforts to attract international events, and Kigali regularly hosts major conferences, driving global recognition and business tourism growth. In 2024, Rwanda hosted the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Awards and General Assembly, the first time it has ever been hosted in Africa. In 2025, Rwanda hosted the UCI World Cycling Championship, also a first for Africa. Also in 2025, Rwanda hosted the 73rd Congress of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the world governing body of soccer. International visitors have boosted the economy, and infrastructure investments, including the upcoming new Kigali International Airport at Bugesera, will further expand connectivity.

Rwanda’s hospitality sector, supported by international hotel brands and large-scale investment, is experiencing robust growth in 2025.  New hotel rooms are being added steadily, including the 2025 opening of luxury hotels such as The Pinnacle and Mövenpick. These join existing brands such as Marriott, Four Points Sheraton, Radisson, Serena Hotel, and others, highlighting Rwanda’s role as a regional hub for quality hospitality and sustainable development. Rwanda is focusing on a “high-value, low-volume” tourism model that it hopes will ensure sustainable growth and diversification.

Leading Sub-sectors

•    Hospitality and hotels.
•    Transportation and tourist services.
•    Tourist infrastructure.

Opportunities

•    Management, advertising, and delivery of international events and conventions .
•    Tourism and hospitality training and certification programs.
•    Construction and operation of eco-parks, luxury hotels, and cultural villages.
•    Creation of environmentally friendly recreation parks in Kigali.
•    Recreational development around lakes (such as Lake Kivu) and national parks.
•    Partnering in sports and recreation tourism.
•    Development of exhibition centers, conference venues, and entertainment districts in and around Kigali City.

More resources and opportunities on tourism and travel are available from RDB, the Rwanda Convention Bureau, and the Rwanda Travel and Tourism Association.

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