Rwanda, the “land of a thousand hills”, located centrally and strategically in East Africa in a region with tremendous potential is one of the most secure, stable and predictable countries on the continent. It is engaged in a huge task of reconstruction which involves all the sectors making Rwanda virgin economy with many untapped resources and a fantastic destination for gorilla tours.

Dwarfed as it is by its neighbours Uganda , Burundi,  the Democratic Repulic of Congo and Tanzania, post-genocide Rwanda is attractive as a strategic economic gateway into the East African Union and COMESA markets, and as an investment destination with zillion opportunities for the business-oriented.

The economy’s uniqueness and attractiveness lies in the fact that Rwanda is a relatively virgin economy, untapped yet full of potential. For the discerning investor, Rwanda is the untapped goldmine, brimming over with opportunities in sectors ranging from agriculture to ICT, tourism, manufacturing, through to mining and financial services.

By the end of 2006, the country had realised a growth in investment worth US$245.5million (Frw136billion) against a set target of US$204 million.
Rwanda’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA), is optimistic that this year, a significant upward swing will occur since Rwanda is blossoming with opportunities in all sectors.
Also noteworthy is the huge rise in domestic investment at US$126million (70.2 billion) this year so far, surpassing last year’s total of US$ 28million (Frw15.7billion).

Local investors dominate the economy, reflecting their belief that they have what it takes, to transform Rwanda into an even more powerful economic powerhouse.
It also reflects their confidence in the government’s charity-begins-at-home vision of a future of growth and posterity, and in its can-do attitude that is sending positive signals to foreign investors.

Unsurprisingly, foreign investors are increasingly finding their way into Rwanda, either as explorers of potential opportunity or executors of actual investment projects in the telecommunication, finance, property development,  mining and agriculture sectors of Rwanda’s economy.

The signature open arms welcome Rwandans give to all visitors more than symbolises the ease assimilation into the nation’s socio-economic rubric.
In the words of United States’ Ambassador Young, it is the only country where he has seen the unity and reconciliation method actually work.

Rwanda mainly relies on coffee and tea exports but of recent, handicraft exports have hit the external markets with a boom. RIEPA is charged with, amongst others, the duty of promoting exports and it is in this regard that the Agency supports the export of the handicraft products especially agaseke, the breathtakingly—beautiful baskets that are woven by Rwandan women.

The handicraft products got into the American market (Macy’s) in September 2005. In consideration of the market available, RIEPA put in place handicraft production centres and is continuing to put in place many more to carry out training, selling points, and working/meeting places for the women, who are mainly survivors of the Genocide.

The upward growth of investments in Rwanda is not accidental but rather reflective of the Government’s own commitment to driving the economy through increased investments and exports.  Indeed, Rwanda’s development strategic roadmap, “The Vision 2020”, targets a GDP per capita growth from $250 to $900 by 2020.

Acutely aware that achieving the objectives of its Vision 2020 requires a substantial contribution by foreign investors, the government maintains an investor-friendly attitude by welcoming and facilitating investments, both before and after their establishment. This awareness is reflected in several ways in the investment regime.

According to The World Bank, starting a business is much easier and faster in Rwanda than it is in any of the countries that neighbor it. So is registering property. There are no sectors that are barred to foreign investors and no restrictions on the percentage of equity they might hold.

The Constitution of 2003 also guarantees investors against expropriation, except in the public interest and with fair and prior compensation, which may be repatriated.

Generally, there is macroeconomic stability, and a sustained GDP growth rate. The investment incentives that Rwanda has to offer are unbeatable. These include duties and tax exemptions, work permits, facilitation and expatriates. For local investors, the government has put in place financing instruments like the Rural Sector Support Programme, the export promotion facility within the Rwanda Development Bank (BRD) as well as capacity building interventions through institutions like CAPMER, which are all directed at local investors.

With the establishment of RIEPA’s one-stop centre, entrepreneurs can, on average, launch a business in three days at a cost equal to the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (188.3%).

At RIEPA, a red carpet welcome is given to investors, a bouquet of services is offered that eases the investor’s entry into the Rwanda’s market; in particular, the centre provides immigration, customs’ exemption, company registration, residency and work permit services to investors.

For the investors who make the agency their first point of call, we shall be your footsoldiers..

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