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Country Facts
Working week:Monday – Friday
08:00 – 17:00
Driving:Drive on Right side of the road
Area:26,338 sq. km
Population:12,012,589
Capital City:Kigali
Language:Kinyarwanda, French, English

Religion:Christianity 98%
GDP:$1,538 per capita
Time Zone:CAT (UTC+2)

Rwanda

Relocation Africa has been servicing Kigali, in Rwanda for 10 years successfully.  We have serviced outlying locations for adhoc projects but these will incur an additional fees.  With larger projects in outlying areas we are able to recruit and train a consultant within 4 – 6 weeks.

Climate

Surrounded by the DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Rwanda’s long rainy season lasts from March to May, when the rain is heavy and persistent. Then from June to mid-Sep is the long dry season. Oct to Nov is a shorter rainy season and it’s followed by a short dry season from Dec to Feb.

Accommodation

Most houses suitable for expats are single storey bungalows, with or without swimming pools. There are some 2 storeys houses. Most have a big garden. There are some apartments and most of these are furnished.

Schooling

There are 6 International Schools in Kigali. 2 follow the American Curriculum. The others follow the British Curriculum.

Healthcare

Medical and dental facilities are limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. Travelers should bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. In Kigali, the King Faisal Hospital is a private facility that offers limited services. There is also a missionary dental clinic. The U.S. Embassy maintains a current list of healthcare providers and facilities in Rwanda. If you will be visiting an area of Rwanda with malaria you will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria. The malaria risk is moderate in all regions. Prevent malaria by taking a prescription anti-malarial drug, using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves.

Shops

Nukamatt is a Kenyan chain of supermarkets. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and stocks range of imported food, drink and other goods. MTN Center, Simba Supermarket and Centre du Frais Alimentation Generale are other options.

Culture 

Avoid eye contact with a superior or elder. The distance between people when they converse indicates their relationship; friends require little or no distance, while superiors must have more. Friends of the same sex often hold hands while walking or talking, but such public contact between members of the opposite sex is not appropriate. Pass items to an older person with both hands. Rwandans toss their head to the side while uttering ‘eh’ to express disbelief. Pointing with a finger or hand is impolite.

Money

The currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). Few places in Rwanda accept credit cards but can be used in some upmarket hotels and restaurants
in Kigali. Banque de Kigali in the capital offers cash advances on credit card and can change travellers’ cheques. There are ATMs in every bank
branch. ATMs are a cheaper way to get francs due to a better exchange rate than currency exchanges. Avoid money-changers on the street.

Hospitality 

Rwandans will generally never eat or drink in public, apart from restaurants. Rwandan women are rarely seen smoking in public or out in bars unaccompanied. Although there is no smoking ban in most public places like bars and restaurants, generally it’s not encouraged. Sometimes people may complain of being disturbed by your smoking.

Transportation

A UK driving licence or International Driving Permit is permitted for up to three months, after which you should apply for a Rwandan licence. Roads from Kigali to all major towns are good. There can be landslides during the annual rains. Avoid road travel after dark as roads are unlit and driving standards are poor. Mini-vans and motorbike taxis are the most common form of public transport.

Greetings 

Greetings are extremely important in Rwanda. It is impolite not to return a greeting or to start a conversation without a proper greeting. Younger
persons must greet older persons first, and women greet men first. When being introduced for the first time or when greeting a professional colleague, Rwandans shake right hands and may place the left hand under the right forearm as a sign of respect. Some young urbanites “kiss the air” near each cheek while shaking hands. Usual greetings include “Muraho” (Hello, it’s been a while), “Mwaramutse” (Good morning), or “Mwiriwe” (Good afternoon/evening). The initial greeting is usually followed by “Amakuru?” (How’s the news?)

Safety

Levels of crime remain relatively low in Rwanda, but there have been reports of bag snatching and mugging incidents targeting foreigners. Do not flaunt your wealth by wearing expensive jewelry or carrying large wads of money openly. Avoid changing money in the streets. Likewise avoid overcrowded streets. Leave your valuables out of sight. Take care when walking at night. Pre-arrange transport. Don’t carry large amounts of money and don’t leave cars unsupervised in the town centre. Photography of government buildings is prohibited. Plastic bags have been banned for environmental reasons. Visible plastic bags will be confiscated on arrival at the airport.

Other

Rwandans are very private, reserved people and loud public confrontations or obvious displays of emotion are frowned upon. If you feel you are being overcharged by a trader, quiet persistence is likely to produce positive results much faster than an angry outburst. Understand that Rwanda is recovering from a civil war and genocide in which approximately a million people were murdered. Many lost relatives so remember to be sensitive to this extreme tragedy when associating with people. Most people are trying to forget.

Our Services for Kigali, Rwanda:

Immigration
Currently looking at Q4 2017 to begin services.

Mobility
Orientation, Home Search, School Search, Tenancy Management, Spousal Support, Departure Services and Settling in Services.

Research
Housing Surveys, Cost of Living Surveys, Schooling and Vehicle Surveys.

Remuneration
Administration on International Payment and Payroll Services

 For all enquiries e-mail info@relocationafrica.com.