Company Formation · Africa
Rwanda
We form companies in Rwanda through the RDB, including Kigali International Financial Centre structures where they fit. Stripe is not available as a full merchant account. We also advise on regional banking.
- Entity
- Ltd (RDB) / Kigali International Financial Centre
- Visit
- No visit required to incorporate
- Timeframe
- RDB filings are often completed in a few days
- Typical cost
- Statutory fees are low to moderate
Country overview
About Rwanda
Rwanda is a landlocked republic in East Africa. Kigali is the capital and the largest city. About 14 million people live here. It borders Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili are official languages. The currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF).
Kigali has a reputation for orderly public administration and is used as an East African operating and holding base. Rwanda is a member of the East African Community. Ordinary companies are registered at the Rwanda Development Board. The Kigali International Financial Centre sits beside that registry for firms that need a financial-centre vehicle. English is widely used in government and business.
Brikseka forms Rwandan companies. The usual vehicles are a private limited company at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and, where it fits, a KIFC structure. No visit is required to incorporate. Filings are often completed in a few days. No local director is required for a standard limited company.
We then advise on a business bank account. Stripe is not available as a full merchant account on a Rwandan company. We advise on regional banking, including KIFC practice where that is the file. Approvals are decided by the providers. If your aim is to live in Rwanda, company formation is not a residence permit — that is a separate immigration file, which we also advise on.
Company formation
We form a limited company at the RDB, and a KIFC structure where that vehicle is the right legal home. No visit is required to incorporate.
Kigali
An East African Community member with English as a working language of government and a financial centre in Kigali.
Remote filing
RDB filings are often completed in a few days. Banking remains a separate decision by the provider.
Tax setting
Corporate income tax is published at 28 percent. Qualifying registered-investor or KIFC files can sit on different published rates. We confirm the live position before you proceed.
How we work
From briefing to a registered company
Briefing
We review your business, the right entity for this country, costs, and whether a visit is likely.
Company formation
Local counsel, notary where required, and the commercial register. We coordinate the documents through to a registered company.
Banking and payments
After the company exists, we prepare applications for a business account and payment gateways.
After incorporation
Statutory records, a named contact, and introductions to accounting so the company can operate.
Also available
Business immigration
Forming a company in Rwanda does not grant the right to live there. If you intend to relocate, we also advise on Rwanda business immigration — including Investor temporary residence (RDB). Requirements, capital, and processing times are confirmed before any engagement.
After the company exists
Payment gateways
- Stripe is not available as a merchant account for this entity
- Payoneer receiving account, subject to Payoneer’s approval
- Merchant of record: Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, Polar
Operating stack
Business banking
- Rwandan banks and KIFC, subject to the provider’s approval
Provider lists are indicative. We confirm current availability, government fees, and account-opening requirements during consultation.
Business Tools covers payment gateways, business accounts, email, websites, and related tools after the company exists.
Consultation
Start a confidential conversation
Tell us what you are building or where you need to move. We respond within one business day.