General Information
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Overview
Rwanda is a landlocked republic which lies in central Africa to the east of Zaire and forms part of the Central African Region. The capital city is Kigali. Other major towns are Butare and Gisenyi.
The official languages are Kinyarwanda and French, but Swahili is widely spoken. The local currency is the Rwanda franc. (US$ / R Fr – current exchange rate).
The international time zone for Rwanda is GMT +3 and the international dialling code for the country is +250. The principal airlines which fly to Rwanda are Air France and Sabena as well as regional airlines. Visas are required by all visitors except nationals of Germany.
Rwanda has a shortage of trained medical staff and facilities. Malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid fever, schistosomiasis and yellow fever may be contracted while travelling in Rwanda. The risk of contraction is based on a number of factors including location, individual’s state of health, current immunisation status, and the local disease situation. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all entrants in to Rwanda.
Economy
In the aftermath of the political violence that swept the country during 1994, growth in Rwanda has been led by agriculture (41.6% of GDP) and construction. Agriculture has the highest foreign exchange earnings and employs the largest sector of the working population, of, which, 90 percent are mostly involved in subsistence farming. Coffee and tea are grown for export, while cereals, vegetables and rice are grown as food crops. Tobacco is also produced.
Strong growth in subsistence agriculture has delivered relief to Rwanda’s poor. In 2002 inflation was kept at a low level, and large inflows of external assistance helped strengthen the country’s official reserves position. The country has a fledgling mining industry that has been severely disrupted by the political strife
Apart from agriculture being the country’s major industry, there is also limited chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing and a tiny textiles and clothing sub-sector. The oil industry in Rwanda is dependant on the importation of all petroleum products from the Mombasa refinery in Kenya..
Rwanda began to reform its economy in 1995. The reforms focused on the exchange and trade regime, the privatisation of state enterprises, the reform of public administration, the budget and financial management as well as private sector development. The country’s economy continues to be heavily dependent on foreign aid, of, which, an estimate of 51 percent made up the government’s budget for 2004.
The government has embarked on initiatives to promote industry growth in the country. These initiative include:
– Promotion of small and medium processing industries for local natural resources and import substitution – Promotion of small and medium businesses that provide services in the transport, finance, telecommunications and information technology industries, as well as the diversification of the production sector of the economy. – Promotion of large scale industries
GDP in 2002: US$1.7 billion, made up of agriculture 41.6%, industry 21.8% and services 36.6%. FDI in 2001: 4.6 million.
Investment
The present government of Rwanda emphasises the promotion of investment growth in the economy and has made adequate resources available to meet acceptable criterion. However, private and public investments remain very low due to many factors, such as, low levels of purchasing power, power shortages and funding resources being poorly absorbed into investment opportunity development.
International Trade
Rwanda is a member of the Free Trade Zone of the Common Market for the East and Southern Africa (COMESA). The country’s geographical position provides an opportunity to serve remote regions of neighbouring countries.
As of 2005, Rwanda’s major export partners have been Indonesia, Germany and China; and the country’s import partners have been Kenya, Uganda, Germany and Belgium.
Memberships (6)
International Finance Corporation, World Trade Organisation, Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Economic Community of Central African States, East African Community
Facilities (3)
Faculté de Théologie Protestante de Butare, Makungura Dam, Makungura II
Travel Facilities
| Accommodation (34): | Hôtel des Mille Collines, Hotel Ibis, Akagera Hotel, Alpha Palace, Auberge Urumuri, Beausejour, Centre d’Accueil – Gisenyi, Eglise Episcopale, Gorilla’s Nest Hotel, Gorillas Hotel, Guest House Gabiro, Guest House Kibuye, Hotel Alpha Palace, Hotel Baobab, Hotel Chez Lando |
| Attractions (20): | Akagera National Park, Akanyaru Wetlands, Cyamudongo, Gisakura Gallery, Gishwati, Lake Kivu, Les Chutes de Ndaba, Mukura, Mutara, National Museum, National Museum of Rwanda, Nyabarongo River Wetlands, Nyakabuye Hot Springs, Nyungwe Forest Reserve, Nyungwe National Park |
| Restaurants (17): | Caiman, Chakula House, Coffee Nectar, Coffee Restaurant Imigano, EPR – Center Bethanie, Habimana Joseph, Karaganda Manasse, Restaurant Corner of Parked, Restaurant Gabiro, Restaurant Greedy Duck, Restaurant New Generation, Restaurant Terra Nova, Restaurant Wimpy, Restoring Beijing Chinese, Restoring Cactus |
