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Buying Property

# Can I Buy Land in Rwanda Without Being in Rwanda?

By Kigali Yacu Property Research Team · Published 9 June 2022 ·Updated 9 June 2022 · 4 min read

Yes, you can buy land in Rwanda without being physically present — it's a routine transaction for diaspora buyers, using video verification, a notarised power of attorney, and international payment structured against milestones. Land purchase specifically requires a bit more care remotely than a finished house, since there's no structure to help assess the property.

## How remote land purchase works

1. Shortlist land from current listings or through a matched search via find your property.
2. Request detailed video documentation — not just static photos, but a walkthrough showing boundaries, access roads and surrounding context.
3. Verify the title independently, with photo or video evidence of the physical boundary walk specifically — see title verification.
4. Sign via power of attorney, authorising someone in Rwanda to act on your behalf for the sale agreement and registered transfer.
5. Pay against milestones — deposit on signed agreement and confirmed verification, further payment on transfer application, final payment on registered transfer.

## Why land verification matters even more remotely

With a house, video alone can convey a reasonable sense of condition. With land, boundaries and access are harder to assess from photos or a single video pass — informal fencing may not match the registered survey, and it's difficult to judge road access quality or slope from footage alone. Insist on a verification process that includes an independent, documented physical site visit, not just registry paperwork review.

## Choosing a representative to receive documents on your behalf

Beyond your power-of-attorney holder for signing, it's often useful to have a separate, trusted local contact who can physically receive and hold original documents on your behalf until you're able to collect them or arrange secure shipping. Keeping this role distinct from the person handling negotiation and signing adds a small but meaningful layer of separation and accountability to a remote transaction.

## Current land listings available now

Listing | Size | Location | Price
--- | --- | --- | ---
Rebero | 610 sqm | Kicukiro | RWF 150,000,000
Nyarutarama | 1,000 sqm | Gasabo | RWF 580,000,000
Nyarutarama (landmark) | 7,000 sqm | Gasabo | RWF 4,500,000,000

## Power of attorney for a land purchase specifically

The same power of attorney principles apply as for any remote property purchase — a document limited to the specific transaction, prepared at a Rwandan embassy or consulate or notarised locally and legalised for use in Rwanda. See buy property in Rwanda from abroad for the fuller process.

## What happens after you own the land, remotely

Once your plot is secured, you can hold it as an investment, or begin planning construction with a trusted local project manager providing regular progress updates — see build a house in Rwanda. Neither requires your physical presence, though many buyers do visit at some point during construction if their schedule allows.

## Land ownership rights for diaspora buyers

Rwandan diaspora with Rwandan nationality or origin generally have broader land rights than foreign nationals without that connection — confirm your specific position before assuming either the most generous or most restrictive interpretation applies to you.

## Handling the emotional distance of a remote land purchase

There's a psychological difference between buying a finished house you've seen in detailed video and buying an empty plot of land you may never have stood on before you own it. Some buyers find this genuinely uncomfortable, even once every formal verification step is complete. It's reasonable to plan a visit at some point after purchase — to walk the land yourself, confirm what you've verified remotely, and start feeling genuine ownership of the decision — even though it isn't required to complete the transaction itself.

## Combining remote land purchase with a future build

Many diaspora buyers purchase land remotely with a specific future construction plan in mind, even if building doesn't start immediately. If this describes your situation, it's worth thinking through your rough construction budget and timeline before finalising the land purchase, since plot size, shape and access will all constrain what's realistically buildable later — see buy land and build a house in Rwanda for how the two stages connect.

## How Kigali Yacu Property helps

We handle remote land purchases regularly, with independent, photo- and video-documented verification specifically built for buyers who can't personally walk a plot's boundaries. See our buy property from abroad service.

Ready to start? Browse current land listings or contact us with your budget and requirements.

## Setting a realistic expectation for the remote process

Remote land purchase generally takes about the same calendar time as a local purchase, but with more of that time spent on structured verification and communication rather than in-person viewings. Set an expectation upfront that you'll receive detailed, documented updates rather than instant answers to every question, and build a small buffer into your own timeline expectations — this reduces frustration and makes the process feel considerably smoother than going in expecting the same pace and immediacy as a local, in-person purchase.

## Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really buy land in Rwanda without visiting?

Yes — this is a common pattern for diaspora buyers, using video verification, a notarised power of attorney to sign on your behalf, and international bank transfer for payment structured against milestones.

How do I verify land boundaries if I can't visit personally?

Request photo and video evidence of the physical boundary walk as part of the verification process, not just a written summary — this is especially important for land specifically, since there's no structure to help you assess the property otherwise.

Is remote land purchase riskier than buying in person?

It carries different risks, primarily around verification you can't personally confirm — which is exactly why independent, well-documented verification matters more for remote buyers, not less.

Can I build on land I bought remotely without being in Rwanda?

Yes, using a trusted local project manager or contractor with regular progress updates. See our guide to building a house in Rwanda for how remote construction management typically works.

## Ready to buy land remotely?

Browse current land listings or tell us your budget and we'll guide you through the remote process.

View Land Listings
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