10 Amazing facts about Rwanda

What comes to your mind when you hear the name ‘Rwanda’? To some, it reminds them of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, to others, it is just another poor African country. That maybe the Rwanda of the past. Here are 10 amazing facts you probably didn’t know about Rwanda

1. IT IS ONE OF THE SAFEST COUNTRIES FOR TRAVELLERS.

Rwanda has been named as the sixth  safest country in the world and the most safest country in africa for solo travellers. It is so safe that 88% percent of Rwandans said the feel safe to walk alone at night, the same figure as in Finland, Slovenia and Tajikistan. So, if you are planning on visiting Rwanda you don’t have to be scared of night outings.

2. PLASTIC BAGS ARE BANNED

Plastics banned have been banned in Rwanda since 2008 after a study by the Rwandan Ministry of Environment. Rwanda’s streets are safe and clean due to a combination of policies that include a plastic bag ban, national day of cleaning up (umuganda) , enforcement of the laws as well as a collective national consciousness of keeping the streets clean. It is no surprise that Kigali, Rwanda’s capital is the cleanest in Africa. When you arrive in any Rwandan airport or seaport, your luggage is searched for plastic bags, if any is found, it will be seized. So, you might want to check your luggage before coming. The country, however, uses other forms of biodegradable bags made from paper, papyrus, or clothes.

3. IT HAS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN THE PARLIAMENT IN THE WORLD.

With 61.3 percent of women in the upper house and 38.5% in the lower house, Rwanda is the country with the highest percentage of females in its parliament. Rwanda’s politics is a model of gender inclusiveness and equality.

4. EVERY LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH IS A NATIONWIDE COMMUNITY WORK DAY

The word ‘Umuganda’ means “coming together in common purpose” in Kinyarwada the official language of Rwanda. The Umuganda is occurs every last Saturday of every month. On this day, every citizen of Rwanda comes out and join his community to clean up, failure to do so attracts a 5000 francs fine. This is a nationwide holiday and it starts by 8:00 am and ends by 11:00 am. This holiday helps to create love for one another and it helps to keep Rwanda clean

5. IT IS HOME TO THE ENDANGERED MOUNTAIN GORILLAS.

About 60% of the mountain gorilla can be found in the Virunga Massif – which the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is part of. Rwanda priotises environmentally conservation so much that less than 100 visitors a day are allowed to take part in the gorilla tracking which costs more than $1000.

6. IT IS KNOWN AS THE ‘LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS’

With scenic hills and breathtaking mountains, Rwanda has been rightly dubbed ‘The Land of a thousand hills ‘. Finding one of these hills isn’t difficult as they all around you. If you are a mountain /hill lover, why not visit the ‘Land of a thousand hills ‘.

7. RWANDA PRODUCES VERY GOOD COFFEE.

Rwanda’s coffee is so good it ranks alongside coffee produced by Brazil, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It is known for its dark and fruity colors. Rwandan coffee continues to win global recognition. More cafés, roasters and artisanals are growing in the country.

8. TOURISM IS ONE OF RWANDA’S FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES

Tourism is Rwanda’s highest sector of foreign revenue. In just 2019 alone, 1,634,000 tourists visited the country. It has also attracted foreign investments from top world hotels and resorts. Rwanda is one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world. 

9. IT WAS ONCE A GERMAN COLONY.

From 1894 to 1918, Rwanda along with its neighbor Burundi were German colonies. After administrating authority was given to Belgium, the territory became known as ‘Ruanda-Urundi’ until independence in 1962. Rwanda and Burundi share some cultural similarities and the two countries are very close.

10. RWANDA HAS THREE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.

Kinyarwanda, French, and English are Rwanda’s official languages. However, Swahili is mostly used for trade.

There you have it, ten amazing facts about this beautiful East-African nation. So, the next time you hear the name Rwanda, you should think about not the genocide, but the clean streets of Rwanda, the mountain gorillas, the hills, and all other beautiful things about Rwanda.