Rwanda at a Glance

Official name: Republic of Rwanda

Location: 1°57'S, 30°4'E
Time zone: GMT + 2

Rwanda

Motto: Ubumwe, Umurimo, Gukunda Igihugu "Unity, Work, Patriotism"
Anthem: Rwanda nziza
Capital: Kigali
Surface area: 26,338 sq. km
Political system: Unitary state with multiparty democracy
Head of state: President Paul Kagame
Next election date: 2010
Population: Approximately 9,907,509 people (July 2007 est.)
Demonym: Rwandan, Rwandese
Official languages: English, French and Kinyarwanda . Kiswahili is also used in commercial hubs.

Principal religions: The nation is some 56.5% Roman Catholic, 26% Protestant, 11.1% Adventist, and 4.6% Muslim, original beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Economy:
GDP (purchasing power parity): $8.576 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.836 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38.2%
industry: 20.1%
services: 41.7% (2007 est.)
Currency: Rwandan franc (RWF)
Exchange rates (14 April 2008): (latest figures available at the Central Bank website www.bnr.rw )
$1 = Rwf 540.71
€1 = Rwf 855.62
Y1 = Rwf 5.33
BIF 1 = Rwf 0.47
Ksh 1 = Rwf 8.67
Tshs 1 = Rwf 0.44
Ushs 1 = Rwf 0.32
Exports: $170.8 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports: $472.5 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year

Communication:
Telephones - main lines in use: 22,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 576, 000 GSM (2007), with free roaming packages regional some regional operators, 20,000 CDMA (2007)
Radio broadcast stations: FM 15 (three international FM programs include the BBC, VOA, and DeutcheWelle), SW 1
Television broadcast stations: 1, (international channels are available from DSTV and GTV)
Internet country code: .rw
Calling code: +250
Transportation:
Airports:9 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5
Roadways: total: 14,008 km
Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2006)
Ports and terminals: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye
Climatic conditions: Tropical but mild because of elevation. Two rainy seasons: March-May and October-November. Frost and snow possible in the mountains.
Average temperature: 24oC (maximum of 34oC during the day and minimum of 10oC at night). Average in Kigali 19oC.

Rwanda today
It is important to note that, fourteen years after the genocide, Rwanda is a very different country from what it was for most of its post-independence history. Foreign investors speak of it as one of the safest places in Africa, as well as one of the least corrupt, and it is not only their opinion. It is a fact that has been achieved through immense efforts by the Government and the people of Rwanda. Key programs covering Unity and Reconciliation, Decentralization, the Gacaca court system to dispose Genocide cases and other Community/local Government activities have collectively contributed to the peaceful and secure Rwanda of Today!
Also, Rwanda has a development-oriented Government committed to the transformation of the economy into a regional hub for services and industry. The development Roadmap Vision 2020 specifies development targets for the country. Clean, committed and peaceful, Rwanda is now an investment location well worth considering.

Useful links:
The official website of the Rwandan Government www.gov.rw
The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks www.rwandatourism.com
Rwanda Development Gateway www.rwandagateway.org

Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda

Leveraging the East African Market through Trade and Investment

Rwanda at a Glance