Foreign investment

Can I Buy Real Estate in Rwanda as a Foreigner?

Yes! You can buy property in Rwanda even if you don’t have Rwandan citizenship. It is actually very simple and fast. Below we describe the process of transferring ownership of a property in Rwanda. For foreigners, residents, and Rwandan citizens alike, the process remains largely identical. The only distinction for foreigners lies in treating additional properties as investments, requiring their purchase under a company’s name and obtaining an investment certificate for the said company.

The five steps of how you can buy a property in Rwanda as a foreigner:

Find a property that you want to buy. You can browse the available properties for sale in Kigali on our website, our team will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have

1. The seller has to present the proof of ownership. we always check all relevant documents of the seller, so you do not have to worry about it.

2. Next, the seller and the buyer an ‘Agreement of Sale’ contract, upon which the buyer expects a small deposit.

3. Then both you and seller go to the local administration (“Umurenge”) where you hand in these documents, together with a copy of your passport (you have to present the original passport ). The sellers will present the same personal identification and, if applicable, company registration papers. This begins the transfer process of the property into your name. The seller will at this point surrender the ownership papers to the land officer. Note that immediately before this is done, the full amount will have to be paid by bank transfer. In case you are buying the property in both you and your spouse’s name, you will need a written, signed and notarized power of attorney from them if they are not present at the office. A copy of their passport should be included with this, and the number noted in the power of attorney.

4. The local administration will review your request and the accompanying documents to initiate the property transfer process to your name. The change of ownership and paperwork typically require 1-2 weeks. Rest assured, we will diligently follow up on your behalf.

How to Invest in International Real Estate in 9 Simple Steps

1. Define your investment goals. ...

2. Choose the right country. ...

3. Understand local property laws. ...

4. Research the market thoroughly. ...

5. Secure financing. ...

6. Build a professional team. ...

7. Conduct due diligence. ...

8. Close the deal.