Rwanda’s hospitality sector is attracting a growing number of investors as the country continues to position itself as a premier destination for tourism, international business conferences, and sports events, according to Irène Murerwa, Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). With new hotel developments, expanding infrastructure, and a surge in international visitors, investors are taking advantage of Rwanda’s stable economy, investor-friendly policies, and reputation for safety and efficiency. ALSO READ: Visitors to Rwanda now spending more One of the latest investors is Kasada, an independent hospitality investment platform that recently acquired Umubano Hotel in Kigali’s Kacyiru area. The property will be redeveloped into a 100-room Mövenpick Hotel, operated under Accor’s globally recognised hotel portfolio. The hotel is expected to have a soft launch at the end of October and a full reopening in 2026, according to Murerwa. “Tourism remains one of Rwanda’s top priority sectors,” Murerwa said. “It has consistently shown resilience and accelerated growth in visitor numbers. As we promote more sporting events, host global conferences, and introduce new tourism products in and around Kigali and our national parks, investor interest in the sector continues to rise.” She noted that Rwanda welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors last year, generating close to $650 million in tourism revenues. ALSO READ: Umubano to become Movenpick Hotel after getting new owner “We expect 2025 to register even higher numbers, given the steady increase in visitors and the growth of our Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry,” she added. Rwanda has in recent years hosted major events such as the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Giants of Africa, and the UCI World Championships, which drew participants from more than 100 nations. These international events, Murerwa said, are helping sustain high hotel occupancy rates while boosting Rwanda’s visibility as a reliable global host. ALSO READ: Visiting Rwanda? Here are ten things you should know “We have the numbers, we have a conducive business environment, and we offer incentives to investors. Above all, we have the people—the hospitality,” she said. “Rwanda’s hospitality sector presents one of the best investment opportunities in Africa right now.” Responsible and diversified tourism Murerwa emphasised that the country’s focus is not only on expanding hotel capacity but also on promoting responsible and diversified tourism. She highlighted recent efforts to broaden Rwanda’s tourism offering beyond gorilla trekking and traditional safaris. “As you know, we promote tourism, but we promote responsible tourism,” she said. “We are diversifying our products to give visitors more options. For instance, we recently launched a zipline in Nyungwe National Park, which is attracting hundreds of visitors. We want people to have different experiences and appreciate Rwanda’s beauty without having to travel far.” ALSO READ: Ten events that shaped MICE industry in 2023 Rwanda’s diversified tourism strategy also includes cultural experiences, eco-tourism, wellness retreats, and adventure tourism—all aimed at encouraging longer stays and higher visitor spending. Co-ownership investment model During the recent International Business and Wellness Tourism Forum, experts discussed new investment models and the role of digital innovation in driving inclusivity within Rwanda’s economy. Uche Nnama, CEO and Founder of Citisquare Africa, highlighted the benefits of co-ownership investment in the hospitality sector—a model that allows individuals to buy fractional shares in real estate and earn passive income. “Co-ownership democratises access to investment opportunities and fosters inclusion,” Nnama explained. “Through our partnership with the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, we are exploring how legally structured frameworks can help individuals and groups co-own titled properties in Kigali and beyond.” ALSO READ: Hoteliers, tour agents on what increased number of hotel rooms means for Rwanda He said the model can empower both local and diaspora investors by enabling them to participate in Rwanda’s real estate and tourism sectors with low capital entry points. “Rwanda’s low corruption levels and efficient financial systems make it one of Africa’s most attractive markets,” he said. “We are developing a legally structured platform for co-ownership investments to stimulate Rwanda’s economy and attract more foreign direct investment.” Steady growth of the hospitality sector According to the W Hospitality Group’s Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2025 report, developers and investors plan to add 474 new hotel rooms in Rwanda, with 46 per cent (218 rooms) already under construction. The report notes that the upcoming facilities include a 198-room Sheraton Hotel, a 58-room M Gallery Hotel (another Accor brand at Century Park), and a 138-room Mövenpick Hotel under Kasada Capital Management. This marks a significant improvement from 2024, when international hotel chains added only 80 rooms to Rwanda’s hospitality market. By 2024, Rwanda’s total hotel capacity reached 21,232 rooms, up from 17,078 in 2020, according to the 2024 Statistical Year Book published by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). “This capacity is crucial for accommodating the increasing number of international conferences, events, and tourists,” said Alphonse Habimana, Principal of the Kigali Excellent Tourism and Hospitality Academy and a hospitality expert with over a decade of experience. “But continuous investment in quality and service will be vital to maintaining competitiveness in the region.” As Rwanda continues to grow as a regional tourism and conference hub, the rise of high-end hotels such as Mövenpick, Sheraton, and M Gallery show investor confidence in the country’s economic trajectory and its commitment to sustainable hospitality growth.
