Rwanda Tourism and Investment Landscape Enters a New Phase of Digital-Driven Growth

Rwanda tourism and investment landscape is entering a new phase of digital-driven growth, powered by innovative co-ownership investment models and strategic government policies designed to attract global investors.

Speaking during the one-day International Business and Wellness Tourism Forum, organized by Citisquare Africa and held in Kigali on October 14, 2025, Irène Murerwa, Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said Rwanda’s tourism sector continues to play a leading role in the nation’s economic transformation.

“Tourism is one of the top priority sectors in the country and it has constantly shown resilience and accelerated growth in terms of numbers,” she said. “We have over a million, perhaps 1.2 million, visitors annually, and I’m confident 2025 will record even higher numbers.”

Murerwa highlighted Rwanda’s expanding tourism portfolio, citing new attractions such as the second-largest zipline in Africa at Nyungwe National Park and a forthcoming canopy walkway as part of efforts to diversify visitor experiences.

She added that Rwanda generated close to $650 million in tourism revenues last year, 10 percent of which was shared with communities surrounding national parks under the Tourism Revenue Sharing Program.

“That’s a lot of money going into healthcare, infrastructure, and roads for communities,” Murerwa said. “We promote responsible tourism that benefits both visitors and Rwandans.”

Murerwa also pointed to Rwanda’s thriving Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, which continues to host international events such as the Basketball Africa League, Giants of Africa, and the UCI World Cycling Championships. These, she said, illustrate how sports and tourism are fueling economic opportunities.

“Rwanda is booming and will continue to boom,” she emphasized. “We have the numbers, the environment, the incentives, and above all, the people, their hospitality and warmth.”

Digital Co-Ownership: The Next Frontier

The International Business and Wellness Tourism Forum, brought together investors, policymakers, and innovators to explore how digital co-ownership models can drive inclusive growth and strengthen Rwanda’s economic resilience.

Building on Rwanda’s investor-friendly policies, Dr. Uche Nnama, Founder and CEO of Citisquare Africa, unveiled a new vision for investment inclusion through digital innovation.

“Citisquare is focused on fractionalizing access to investment opportunities so a wider range of people can create passive income,” he explained. “We are developing a legally structured platform for co-ownership investments to democratize opportunities, stimulate Rwanda’s economy, and attract foreign direct investment.”

Nnama said Citisquare chose Rwanda for its stability, visionary leadership, ease of doing business, and strong governance.

“Rwanda’s low corruption levels and efficient financial systems make it one of Africa’s most attractive markets,” he said.

The co-ownership model, he added, aims to lower barriers to entry and make profitable sectors such as real estate, tourism, and agribusiness accessible even to small investors, supporting the government’s broader agenda of inclusive growth.

Investors’ Confidence

For Dr. Aderemi Banjoko, a British-Nigerian investor and CEO of Kava Juru Farms Ltd and Ndego Farm Ventures Ltd, Rwanda represents more than just an investment hub. It is a place of long-term commitment.

Having first visited the country in 2005 for charity work, he now operates commercial farms in Kayonza District, spanning 48 hectares for goat farming and 22 hectares for greenhouse agriculture.

“In the four years we’ve run the goat farm, not one goat has been stolen,” he said. “Security gives you peace. If you fail in Rwanda, it’s because of your own errors, not the system.”

Banjoko praised the Ministry of Agriculture’s open-door policy, citing grants, subsidies, and tax incentives for investors holding investment certificates.

“The experience has been wonderful, from government engagement to financial support,” he said.

Why Attracting Investors

Rwanda’s broader economic environment continues to strengthen investor confidence. With an average GDP growth rate of 7.15 percent over the past decade, the country boasts one of the lowest debt ratios in the region and is recognized as Africa’s top performer in ease of doing business.

The tourism sector remains a major pillar of this growth, generating about $647 million in annual revenue and attracting 1.3 million visitors in 2024. Meanwhile, real estate continues to show strong performance, with property values in Kigali appreciating by 12 to 15 percent each year.

Rwanda’s membership in the East African Community (EAC) also provides investors with free trade access to a regional market of over 450 million people. Complementing this are the country’s efficient financial systems, which allow investors to open bank accounts in as little as five days and repatriate profits without restriction.

Ranked as the second safest country globally for female solo travellers, the country continues to build its reputation as a secure and investor-friendly destination. These fundamentals, paired with the Rwanda Development Board’s proactive investment incentives, reinforce the nation’s position as a regional hub for business, innovation, and sustainable tourism.

As Murerwa concluded, “We are growing our MICE business, promoting sports and responsible tourism, and diversifying products around our parks and cities. Anyone would want to invest in Rwanda.”