Until recently, Rwanda’s stance on foreign land ownership was stringent, limiting rights to the following:
– emphyteutic lease (a property lease or rental contract with an extremely long term);
– land concession (contract between the Government and another actor that gives specific rights to control an area of land for a fixed period of time and for the conduct of specific activities in that area).
It worth to be noted that those lease rights were granted for investment purposes only (Art 16, Law N° 27/2021 OF 10/06/2021 governing land In Rwanda).
However, reflecting a global outlook, recent developments showcase a shift towards openness.
Notably, exceptional circumstances of strategic national interest now empower the government to grant full land ownership for investment through presidential decree, signaling a more inclusive approach to global investors.
Further bolstering this shift, Ministerial Instructions No. 0001, issued on 13/02/2023, delineate terms for foreign residential land ownership, pending a Presidential Decree to be published for that purpose.
Responding to a surge in foreign land rights applications, these instructions introduce the concept of emphyteutic leases for residential land, allowing foreigners to “possess” residential land within specified standards and areas defined by relevant laws. In addition, the term of the long lease has been extended to 99 years instead of 49 years.
Rwanda’s evolving landscape not only embraces foreign investment but also recognizes the need for accommodating foreigners in residential spheres, marking a positive step towards greater integration and cooperation on the global stage.
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