Services for Foreign Investors in Rwanda
Five integrated services — Business Registration, Investment Advisory, HR & Recruitment, Relocation, and Executive Travel — delivered by one team. Built for international entrepreneurs and corporates entering East Africa.
Investment & Business Setup
Investment & Business Setup
Business Registration Assistance
6-Hour Company Setup
Complete company registration with RDB in just 6 hours. We handle name reservation, certificate issuance, TIN assignment, and RSSB registration — all in one streamlined process. 100% foreign ownership permitted with no local partner required.
Investment Certificate
RDB Certification & Tax Incentives
Secure your Rwanda Development Board investment certificate to unlock tax incentives, investor protections, and fast-track permits. Essential for accessing 0% corporate tax holidays and priority sector benefits.
TIN Registration
Tax Compliance Setup
Obtain your Tax Identification Number from Rwanda Revenue Authority and ensure full compliance from day one. We handle VAT registration, withholding tax setup, and ongoing tax advisory for foreign-owned entities.
Trade License
Commercial Operating Permits
Secure all necessary trade licenses and commercial permits for legal business operations. From general trading licenses to sector-specific authorizations, we navigate the bureaucracy so you don't have to.
Sector-Specific Licenses
Regulated Industry Permits
Specialized licensing for regulated sectors including finance, telecommunications, mining, healthcare, and energy. We understand the unique requirements of each regulator and manage the entire approval process.
Work & Residency Permits
Visa & Immigration Support
Process work permits for foreign employees, investor visas for owners, and dependent residency permits for families. We handle the entire immigration workflow from application submission to biometric registration.
Key Facts for Foreign Investors
Everything you need to know about starting a business in Rwanda
Company Registration
6 Hours
Complete RDB registration including TIN and RSSB in a single day
Foreign Ownership
100%
No local partner required. Full foreign ownership permitted in all sectors
Minimum Capital
RWF 0
No minimum capital requirement for most business types
Registration Fee
Free
Free always
Business Ranking
Top 3 Africa
Rwanda ranks among Africa's easiest places to do business (World Bank)
Tax Incentives
0% - 15%
Corporate tax rates from 0% for HQ to 15% for strategic sectors
Ready to Start?
Most of our clients are operational within 48 hours
Rwanda Investment Incentives
Industry-leading tax advantages designed to accelerate your return on investment
| Incentive | Details | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
0% Corporate Tax | Zero corporate tax for international HQ/regional offices relocating to Rwanda | USD 10M+ investment in tangible/intangible assets |
3% Corporate Tax | Preferential rate for holding companies, SPVs, collective investment schemes | 30% Rwandan professional staff, 2+ Rwandan board members |
15% Preferential Rate | Reduced rate for strategic sectors: energy, transport, ICT, affordable housing | Registered investor in qualifying sector |
7-Year Tax Holiday | Complete CIT exemption for up to 7 years | USD 50M+ investment (30% equity) in manufacturing, tourism, health, exports, energy, ICT |
Capital Gains Exemption | No capital gains tax on disposal of assets (excluding commercial property) | All registered investors |
50% Accelerated Depreciation | First-year depreciation of 50% on new or used assets | Registered investors in priority sectors |
VAT Refund (15 days) | VAT paid on imports refunded within 15 days | All registered investors with approved materials list |
Export Duty Exemption | Customs tax exemption for products in Export Processing Zones | EPZ-registered investors |
Immigration Support | Residence permits for investor + dependents. Hire 3 foreign staff without labor market test | USD 250K+ investment |
Loss Carry Forward | Carry forward losses for up to 10 years (vs. standard 5) | Registered investors with valid exploration licence |
Angel Investor Incentive | CGT exemption + WHT exemption on first 5 dividend issuances | USD 500K+ investment in startups |
0% Corporate Tax
Zero corporate tax for international HQ/regional offices relocating to Rwanda
USD 10M+ investment in tangible/intangible assets3% Corporate Tax
Preferential rate for holding companies, SPVs, collective investment schemes
30% Rwandan professional staff, 2+ Rwandan board members15% Preferential Rate
Reduced rate for strategic sectors: energy, transport, ICT, affordable housing
Registered investor in qualifying sector7-Year Tax Holiday
Complete CIT exemption for up to 7 years
USD 50M+ investment (30% equity) in manufacturing, tourism, health, exports, energy, ICTCapital Gains Exemption
No capital gains tax on disposal of assets (excluding commercial property)
All registered investors50% Accelerated Depreciation
First-year depreciation of 50% on new or used assets
Registered investors in priority sectorsVAT Refund (15 days)
VAT paid on imports refunded within 15 days
All registered investors with approved materials listExport Duty Exemption
Customs tax exemption for products in Export Processing Zones
EPZ-registered investorsImmigration Support
Residence permits for investor + dependents. Hire 3 foreign staff without labor market test
USD 250K+ investmentLoss Carry Forward
Carry forward losses for up to 10 years (vs. standard 5)
Registered investors with valid exploration licenceAngel Investor Incentive
CGT exemption + WHT exemption on first 5 dividend issuances
USD 500K+ investment in startupsAll incentives require RDB Investment Certificate. We handle the entire application process.
Incentives are subject to eligibility criteria and government approval. Contact us for a personalized assessment. Last updated: January 2026.
Access to Global Markets
Rwanda's strategic trade agreements give your business unprecedented access across continents
Total Market Access
1.6B+ Consumers
From Rwanda, reach over 1.6 billion consumers across Africa, Europe, and the United States with preferential trade terms
| Trade Agreement | Coverage | Market Size | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
East African Community (EAC) | 7 countries | 152M+ consumers | Duty-free trade, common market access |
COMESA | 21 countries | 389M+ consumers | Free trade zone, reduced tariffs |
European Union (EPA) | 27 countries | 450M+ consumers | Duty-free, quota-free market access |
United States (AGOA) | USA | 330M+ consumers | 6,500+ product lines duty-free |
AfCFTA | 54 African nations | 1.3B+ consumers | Largest free trade area by countries |
East African Community (EAC)
Coverage: 7 countries
152M+ consumers
Benefit: Duty-free trade, common market access
COMESA
Coverage: 21 countries
389M+ consumers
Benefit: Free trade zone, reduced tariffs
European Union (EPA)
Coverage: 27 countries
450M+ consumers
Benefit: Duty-free, quota-free market access
United States (AGOA)
Coverage: USA
330M+ consumers
Benefit: 6,500+ product lines duty-free
AfCFTA
Coverage: 54 African nations
1.3B+ consumers
Benefit: Largest free trade area by countries