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Buying Property

# Apartments for Sale in Kigali: Complete Buyer's Guide

By Kigali Yacu Property Research Team · Published 1 June 2023 ·Updated 1 June 2023 · 4 min read

Apartments for sale in Kigali concentrate heavily in Gasabo District, where demand from expatriate, diplomatic and NGO tenants supports a genuine buy-to-let market alongside owner-occupier interest, with a growing supply of new development projects entering the market.

## Where apartments are available

Kacyiru, Kimihurura and Nyarutarama host the bulk of Kigali's apartment stock and new development activity, given the concentration of embassies, international organisations and expatriate housing demand in these neighbourhoods. Our current Kacyiru apartment development — offering 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units plus 5-bedroom penthouses from RWF 207,824,925 — reflects this pattern directly.

## New development versus existing apartment stock

Factor | New development | Existing apartments
--- | --- | ---
Condition | New, modern specification and amenities | Varies by age and building maintenance
Amenities | Often includes pool, gym, secure parking | Depends on the specific building
Price | Sometimes lower entry pricing pre-completion | Reflects current market value directly
Risk | Construction and delivery-timeline risk | Title and building-condition risk

See off-plan property buying if you're considering a pre-completion purchase specifically.

## What to check before buying an apartment

Beyond standard title verification, confirm the building's management structure and ongoing service charges — these recurring costs affect your real return if you're buying for rental income, and your ongoing living costs if buying to occupy. For off-plan purchases, also verify the developer's land ownership and construction approval status.

## Apartments as an investment

Apartments in expatriate-heavy neighbourhoods generally offer the most consistent rental demand in Kigali's market, though at a purchase price to match. See apartment investment in Kigali: is it worth it for a detailed look at this specific investment case, or best Kigali neighborhoods for rental property investment for how apartments compare to houses across different areas.

## Apartment sizes and configurations

Kigali apartment developments typically offer a range from 1-bedroom units suited to individual professionals or investors, through 2 and 3-bedroom units for families or shared living, up to larger penthouse configurations. Our current Kacyiru listing spans this full range, from 96 sqm 1-bedroom units to 5-bedroom penthouses, illustrating the variety available within a single development.

## Resale value considerations for apartments

Apartment resale value depends heavily on the building's ongoing management quality and reputation, not just the unit itself — a well-managed building with transparent finances and consistent maintenance tends to hold value better than an otherwise comparable unit in a poorly managed development. When evaluating a purchase, ask about the building's track record on this front, not just its physical amenities at the time of sale.

## Financing an apartment purchase

As with any Kigali property purchase, most buyers fund apartments through savings rather than a conventional mortgage, given Rwanda's less-developed mortgage market. Off-plan developments often offer staged payment structures tied to construction progress, which can make budgeting more manageable than a single upfront payment.

## Buying an apartment remotely

Apartment purchases, particularly off-plan units still under construction, are naturally suited to remote buying since there's no finished building to physically inspect regardless of where the buyer lives. See buy property from abroad for how this works in practice.

## Comparing apartments across different developments

When shortlisting between multiple apartment developments, compare not just unit price and size but the developer's track record, the building's amenity package, and service charge levels, since these recurring costs can meaningfully affect your total cost of ownership beyond the headline purchase price. A slightly cheaper unit in a building with high service charges isn't necessarily the better deal once the full picture is considered.

## Visiting a development at different construction stages

If you're considering an off-plan apartment, ask to visit the construction site at its current stage, not just view marketing renders — seeing actual progress firsthand, or via detailed video if you're remote, gives you a far more grounded sense of the developer's real pace and quality than polished promotional material alone can convey.

## Apartment living versus house living in Kigali

For buyers weighing an apartment against a standalone house, apartments generally offer lower maintenance responsibility (shared building upkeep) and often stronger security infrastructure, while houses offer more space, privacy and outdoor area. See house or apartment: which is better to buy in Kigali for a direct comparison of this trade-off.

## Questions to ask before reserving an apartment unit

Beyond standard due diligence, ask specifically how many units in a development have already sold, what the building's long-term maintenance and management plan looks like, and whether parking and storage are included or sold separately. These details affect both your day-to-day experience and the unit's resale value, and aren't always volunteered upfront in marketing materials.

## Apartments as a first Kigali property purchase

For buyers new to Kigali's market, an apartment purchase can be a genuinely manageable entry point compared to a house or land purchase — smaller in scale, often in a managed building with clearer ongoing costs, and typically requiring less hands-on oversight both during and after purchase. This makes apartments a reasonable starting point for buyers wanting to establish themselves in the market before committing to a larger purchase.

## Getting started

Browse current apartment listings, or contact us with your budget and preferred neighbourhood for a tailored shortlist.

## Frequently Asked Questions

Where are most apartments for sale located in Kigali?

Concentrated in Gasabo District — Kacyiru, Kimihurura and Nyarutarama specifically — reflecting demand from expatriate and diplomatic tenants and buyers, though apartment development is expanding into other districts too.

Are apartments a good investment in Kigali?

They can be, particularly in neighbourhoods with strong expatriate rental demand — see our dedicated analysis on whether apartment investment in Kigali is worth it for a fuller answer.

What should I check before buying an apartment specifically?

Beyond standard title verification, confirm the building's management structure, service charges, and — for off-plan purchases — the developer's track record and construction timeline.

Can I buy an apartment in Kigali while living abroad?

Yes — apartment purchases, including off-plan units, are commonly bought remotely by diaspora clients using video viewings and power of attorney.

## Ready to see current apartment listings?

Browse listings or tell us your budget and preferred area.

Browse Apartments
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