Skip to content
For buyers

# Buy Property in Rwanda

Whether you're buying your first home in Kigali or your fifth investment property, our process is built around one non-negotiable — verified title before verified funds change hands.

- Title verified
- Escrow-friendly process
- Virtual viewings
- Power of attorney supported

Buying property in Kigali comes with a specific set of risks that don't always exist in more mature property markets: titles that haven't been updated after inheritance, land sold to more than one buyer, and asking prices that shift depending on who's asking. Our buying service exists to remove those risks from your side of the transaction, whether you're a first-time local buyer or a diaspora investor who's never set foot on the property.

## What's included

- Shortlisting from our current properties for sale, plus off-market options we don't publish
- Neighbourhood guidance — see our investment locations pages for what each district and neighbourhood actually offers, beyond the marketing description
- Price comparison against genuinely comparable recent sales, not just the seller's asking figure
- Title verification on your shortlisted property before you make an offer
- Sale agreement review so you understand exactly what you're signing
- Negotiation support through to signed agreement and registered transfer

## The buying process, step by step

1. Tell us your budget, preferred location and property type — or use find your property if you want us to do the shortlisting.
2. View shortlisted properties in person, or via video call if you're not in Kigali.
3. We run title and ownership verification on your preferred property.
4. We negotiate the offer and review the sale agreement with you clause by clause.
5. Payment is structured in stages tied to documentation milestones, not paid upfront in full.
6. Registered title transfer is completed with a notary, and handover is confirmed in writing.

For the full breakdown, including realistic timelines, see how it works.

## What to check before buying — a quick reference

Check | Why it matters
--- | ---
Registered owner matches the seller | Prevents buying from someone without legal authority to sell
UPI (Unique Parcel Identification) number verified | Confirms the parcel is correctly and uniquely registered
No recorded disputes or liens | Avoids inheriting someone else's legal problem
Physical boundaries match the title | Prevents paying for land you won't actually receive
Sale agreement reviewed before signing | Ensures payment terms and remedies protect you, not just the seller

## Buying land versus buying a finished property

Land purchases carry additional considerations — subdivision status, zoning, and access roads chief among them — that don't apply to a finished house or apartment. If you're specifically interested in land, our buy and build section covers that path in more depth, including buying land in Rwanda and what happens after you own the plot.

## Buying as an investment

If your primary interest is return on investment rather than a home to live in, read our real estate investment page, which covers rental yield expectations and land appreciation patterns across Kigali's neighbourhoods.

## Buying from outside Rwanda

If you're not currently in Rwanda, the process above is handled slightly differently — see buy property from abroad for how video viewings, power of attorney and remote payment work in practice.

Ready to start? Browse current properties or contact our team with your requirements.

FAQ

## Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners buy property in Rwanda?

Yes. Foreign nationals can own buildings and lease land in Rwanda (land itself is technically leased from the state under Rwandan law, typically for terms up to 99 years for residential use). Rwandan diaspora with Rwandan nationality or origin have additional land ownership rights. We'll explain exactly what applies to your situation before you commit to a purchase.

How much deposit do I need to buy property in Kigali?

There's no fixed legal minimum, but most sale agreements we negotiate structure payment in stages tied to documentation milestones rather than one large upfront deposit — see our due diligence and sale agreement guides for how this typically works.

How do I know the price I'm being quoted is fair?

We compare any property you're considering against recent comparable sales in the same neighbourhood before you make an offer, as part of our standard buying support — the same method we use for formal valuations.

What property types can I buy through Kigali Yacu Property?

Houses, apartments, villas, land and commercial property, across Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge districts, plus a small number of listings in nearby investment areas like Lake Muhazi.

Do you charge buyers a fee?

Our fee is built into the transaction and disclosed upfront — there is no charge to browse listings, ask questions, or get an initial shortlist.

## Ready to start looking?

Browse current listings or tell us what you want and we'll shortlist properties that match — including options not yet publicly listed.

Browse Properties