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Rwanda
Africa
Known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills," Rwanda has rebuilt after the 1994 genocide into one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, with a strong focus on technology and tourism.
14,000,000
Population
26,338
Area (km²)
Kigali
Capital
31
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
31 Events
September 21, 2025 - Kigali hosts Africa's first road world cycling championships, enhancing sports and tourism.
August 21, 2025 - French court dismisses case against ex-first lady Agathe Habyarimana for 1994 genocide role.
August 08, 2025 - Bayern Munich scales back "Visit Rwanda" sponsorship amid M23 criticism, shifting to youth programs.
July 28, 2025 - A 5.1-magnitude earthquake in Burundi causes a crowd crush in Gicumbi District, injuring 14.
June 28, 2025 - DRC and Rwanda sign U.S.-mediated peace deal to end conflict.
June 20, 2025 - Opposition leader arrested over alleged coup plot.
June 11, 2025 - Dozens of white rhinos relocated from South Africa to boost conservation.
June 08, 2025 - Rwanda withdraws from ECCAS amid DRC tensions.
March 17, 2025 - Rwanda cuts ties with Belgium and expels diplomats, accusing it of neo-colonialism.
March 04, 2025 - Germany halts new bilateral aid to Rwanda due to M23 support.
February 25, 2025 - UK partially suspends aid to Rwanda and imposes sanctions over DRC conflict.
February 20, 2025 - U.S. sanctions Rwanda's minister James Kabarebe for M23 involvement.
January 27, 2025 - Five civilians die in Gisenyi amid spillover from the Battle of Goma in DRC.
January 25, 2025 - DRC severs diplomatic ties with Rwanda and expels diplomats over alleged M23 support, worsening bilateral relations.
January 15, 2025 - The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board announces discovery of 13 oil reservoirs in Lake Kivu, potentially transforming the energy sector.
December 20, 2024 - Rwanda and WHO declare the Marburg outbreak over after no new cases.
November 27, 2024 - Rwanda extradites an Indian man accused of terror links, bolstering counterterrorism cooperation.
October 31, 2024 - A Paris court sentences a Rwandan ex-doctor to 27 years for his role in the 1994 genocide, advancing international justice efforts.
September 27, 2024 - September 27–October 6: A Marburg virus outbreak reports 42 cases and 12 deaths across six districts; vaccines are deployed under trial protocols.
August 11, 2024 - Kagame is inaugurated for his fourth term, reaffirming RPF dominance.
August 07, 2024 - The DRC ceasefire collapses amid renewed fighting, affecting regional stability.
July 31, 2024 - A ceasefire is announced in eastern DRC, offering temporary relief but tied to Rwanda's involvement.
July 15, 2024 - July 15–16: Kagame secures a fourth term with 99.15% of votes in presidential elections; his RPF-led coalition wins 62% in parliamentary polls, amid opposition boycotts.
July 08, 2024 - A UN report accuses Rwandan soldiers of fighting alongside M23 rebels in DRC, escalating international scrutiny.
July 06, 2024 - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirms the end of the controversial Rwanda asylum policy, impacting bilateral migration deals.
June 25, 2024 - One person dies in a stampede during President Paul Kagame's re-election campaign launch in Kigali.
February 19, 2024 - Rwanda rejects U.S. demands to withdraw missiles and troops from eastern DRC, amid accusations of supporting M23 rebels.
January 16, 2024 - Rwanda reports killing a Congolese soldier who crossed the border, further heightening bilateral tensions.
September 07, 2023 - Police arrest a serial killer suspect after discovering multiple bodies in a kitchen, highlighting urban crime challenges.
May 03, 2023 - Heavy rains and floods kill at least 109 people in Rwanda and six in neighboring Uganda, displacing thousands and straining emergency response.
January 25, 2023 - Tensions with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) escalate after a Rwandan plane is shot down near the border, described as an "act of war."
Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda
100 Questions
Rwanda is in East-Central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The capital is Kigali.
Around 14 million people as of 2025 estimates.
Kinyarwanda, French, and English are official; Swahili is also widely used.
A mild tropical highland climate, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.
The Rwandan franc (RWF).
Blue, yellow, and green horizontal stripes with a yellow sun in the top right.
Kigali, Butare, Gisenyi, Ruhengeri, and Byumba.
On July 1, 1962, from Belgium.
Dominique Mbonyumutwa (interim) and later Grégoire Kayibanda.
Paul Kagame (as of 2025).
A unitary presidential republic.
Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa (pygmy minority).
Christianity (predominantly Catholic and Protestant), followed by Islam.
Around $14 billion in 2025 estimates.
About $1,000.
Around 77%.
About 68 years.
Around 3.8 children per woman.
Around 60%.
Coffee, tea, minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold), and horticultural products.
Fuel, machinery, vehicles, food, and construction materials.
Tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold, and fertile soil.
Because of its hilly terrain and lush green landscapes.
A clean, modern city with a strong reputation for safety and development.
Home to the National University of Rwanda and cultural institutions.
A resort town on Lake Kivu.
Gateway to Volcanoes National Park and mountain gorillas.
Mount Karisimbi (4,507 m), part of the Virunga Mountains.
Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, and Lake Rweru.
Plantains, beans, sweet potatoes, maize, and cassava.
A dish made from cassava leaves cooked with peanuts.
A maize porridge eaten with sauces and vegetables.
Banana beer, sorghum beer, milk, and tea.
Football, basketball, cycling, and athletics.
Amavubi (The Wasps).
Yes, in 2004.
Not yet.
Dieudonné Disi (runner), Adrien Niyonshuti (cyclist).
Yes, mostly in athletics and cycling.
Gospel, hip-hop, Afrobeat, and traditional drumming.
A traditional warrior dance performed with spears and costumes.
Drums (ingoma), inanga (zither), and flutes.
Umuganura (harvest festival) and Kwita Izina (gorilla naming ceremony).
The umushanana, a draped dress worn by women during ceremonies.
They hold significant roles in politics, business, and farming; Rwanda has one of the highest rates of women in parliament.
Around 75%.
Around 79%.
Moderate, with underemployment more common.
Around 70%.
Coffee, tea, bananas, beans, and maize.
Cattle, goats, sheep, and chickens.
Improving, with universal health coverage through community-based insurance.
Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, and non-communicable diseases.
Around 3% of adults.
Declining significantly in recent years.
Improving due to better healthcare access.
“Rwanda Nziza” (“Beautiful Rwanda”).
“Unity, Work, Patriotism.”
The lion.
The crowned crane.
The red rose.
Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, elephants, buffalo, and antelopes.
Volcanoes, Akagera, and Nyungwe.
Home to endangered mountain gorillas.
Savannah wildlife including lions, rhinos, and elephants.
Rainforest, chimpanzees, and canopy walks.
Around 85%.
Around $1,000 annually.
Declining steadily.
Around 20%, but growing.
Mostly farmers in small villages.
Hydropower, biomass, and growing solar power.
High in hydro, methane from Lake Kivu, and solar.
Land scarcity and dependence on agriculture.
Balancing development with political freedoms.
In 1994, about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days.
The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), led by Paul Kagame.
Rwanda is an active and influential member.
The UN has peacekeeping operations and supported post-genocide recovery.
Supports Rwanda with aid, trade, and military cooperation.
Invests in infrastructure and construction.
Historically controversial due to its role during the genocide.
Moderate, around 5–7%.
Very high, among the densest in Africa.
Basket weaving, pottery, and beadwork.
A traditional woven peace basket, symbolizing unity.
An annual gorilla naming ceremony.
A national community service day held monthly.
Liberation Day (July 4), commemorating the end of the genocide.
Around 4% difference.
Around 6 years.
Lower than in rural areas.
Maternal and child health, plus malaria control.
Overcrowding and limited higher education opportunities.
Around 5 people per household.
Still rising, but slowing due to falling fertility.
Services, ICT, tourism, and manufacturing.
Gorilla trekking, safaris, and eco-tourism.
It is seen as a model of post-conflict recovery, innovation, and stability despite its tragic history.