This is Rwanda

Life in Rwanda can offer that rare feeling of true safety. If you are from a country where this is particularly concerning to you, we can assure Rwanda will address that squarely. Here you can stroll home under the stars or let the kids play outside without clutching your keys for dear life. Rwanda consistently ranks among Africa’s safest nations, with famously low crime rates and a strong focus on security. We can tell you from experience: neighbors smile at each other, not at wallets.  I mean you have still got to be wary and careful. There are few occurrences of petit thefts like pickpocketing, but we hope you can understand that there are always bad actors in every society. We can definitely promise that you might never have such an encounter in Rwanda. EVER!

For any emergency, please dial 112

Imagine waking up to green hills as far as the eye can see – that’s Rwanda’s everyday view. The country is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” full of secrets to explore. I remember in August 2025 when we had a tourist from The Netherlands who wanted to visit the Twin Lakes for a day. Upon arriving at the destination, he was stunned by the "untempered" lake surroundings, so much that he said "This is what my heart longs for..." Your morning jog might include lumbering past a group of gentle giants (very slowly, camera at the ready). There’s misty Nyungwe Forest – complete with canopy bridges over playful chimpanzees – and the emerald shores of Lake Kivu perfect for sunset brews. Every weekend here feels like a national-park adventure.

Rwanda lives up to its local greeting, “Muraho”, meaning hello or friend. The people here are famously polite, respectful, and community-focused, so you’ll probably be called “friend” faster than you can say akarabo. The culture is alive with music, dance, and vibrant crafts, and there’s even a growing expat community ready to welcome newcomers. In short order someone will invite you to share a meal or join a local dance – trust us, you won’t be a stranger for long.

Don’t imagine Rwanda is all charm and no convenience. There is a growing tech industry that perhaps you can contribute significantly to. Please do find time to attend some conferences and networking events regularly held at the Kigali Convention Center and Norrsken House. The country is surprisingly high-tech and forward-moving. Most homes have reliable electricity and high-speed internet on the way. Kigali, the capital, has good roads, fiber-optic Wi-Fi in many cafes, and plenty of new coworking spots (your home office will finally have mountain views). The economy is booming – even mid-2025 saw about 7.8% GDP growth – which means jobs and new ideas around every corner. Plus Rwanda is routinely ranked one of Africa’s easiest places to do business—takes about 48 hours to register a business, so if you dream of opening a café or launching a startup, you’ll find plenty of support and optimism here.

Prepare to have your socks and shoes knocked off by Kigali’s cleanliness. The country takes pride in it: Rwanda banned plastic bags back in 2008 and even has mandatory community clean-up days every month. The government openly supports sustainability, and Kigali was named one of Africa’s cleanest cities because of these efforts. What it means for you is spotless streets and fresh air – no littered plastic or trash to dodge on your morning jog. We joke that visiting Kigali is like walking in a giant public park, except the trees occasionally wave back at you.