Before travelling to Kigali and during your stay, you may find the following information useful. Please be sure to read it carefully.
Forum Venue
The Global NCD Alliance Forum will be held at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), a landmark venue in Rwanda and one of the largest conference spaces in the region.
Its signature dome, a striking architectural feature, doubles as a multifunctional auditorium capable of hosting events ranging from intimate gatherings to large conferences and concerts. Conveniently located in the heart of Kigali and adjacent to the Radisson Blu Hotel, the KCC blends cutting-edge facilities with design elements inspired by Rwandan culture, ensuring an exceptional experience for all Forum participants.
Visa Information
From 1st Jan 2018, nationals of all countries can obtain visas on arrival at Kigali International Airport and land borders. Citizens from African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member states receive a 30-day visa free of charge.
Citizens of East African Community Member States shall be issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival to stay for a period of six months.
Citizens from the following countries will be granted 90 days valid visa free of charge upon arrival: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore, and the state of Qatar.
For more detailed visa requirements, please visit: https://www.migration.gov.rw/visa/visitors-visa
Transportation
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Airport pick-up and drop-off will be arranged for all Forum participants arriving between 11-14 February and departing between 15-16 February. Visible ushers, holding Forum tags and signage, will be waiting at the airport (day and night) to assist you.
To and from the Conference venue
All delegates staying at official conference hotels will have free daily transportation to and from the Forum venue. The timetables will be displayed in the hotels and in the Convention Center.
Getting around Kigali
Shared taxis (mini vans) and motorbike taxis are the most common form of public transport but are very vulnerable to accidents. Additionally, there will be a city-wide car-free day on Sunday 16 February and the NCD Alliance is convening their international forum.
Ride-sharing and Taxi Apps in Rwanda
While there is no Uber in Rwanda, there are several Uber alternatives. Two of the most popular Uber alternatives is the Yego Rwanda taxi app, called Yego Moto and Move by Volkswagen.
Health and Safety
Marburg: On December 20 2024, Rwanda officially declared the Marburg virus outbreak over. Health authorities discharged the last patient on November 8, with no new cases reported since October 30, completing the 42-day monitoring period required by WHO guidelines. The Ministry of Health first declared the outbreak on September 27, prompting the Forum’s postponement as a precautionary measure. Thanks to the swift and effective actions of the Rwandan government, the outbreak is now contained. We will continue to monitor closely the situation together with our partners and health authorities, and will update you should the situation change.
Mpox: Mpox is a viral disease that causes skin lesions, fever, and flu-like symptoms. It is transmitted through close contact with someone who has symptoms, including skin-to-skin contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. As of 3 November 2024, Rwanda has reported 26 confirmed mpox cases and no deaths. While some cases have travel links to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), others do not. Investigations suggest exclusive human-to-human transmission, with 23% of cases identified among female sex workers and 50% reporting sexual contact with a known mpox case.
While the risk of mpox transmission at the Forum is low, measures have been implemented—including hand hygiene stations, mask availability, enhanced cleaning of common areas, medical services, and isolation protocols—to ensure the safety of all delegates.
Malaria: Malaria risk is high throughout the year in all areas. Travellers should seek professional medical advice on taking anti-malarial medicines and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially between dawn and dusk.
A certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination is required upon entry to Rwanda for delegates traveling from these countries, but is not required for travellers coming from Yellow Fever non-endemic countries or countries without an active transmission outbreak.
Travellers should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, following the advice of their local healthcare provider, and should consider bringing a small first aid kit.
It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns – make sure the seal is intact.
Drinkable water fountains will be available throughout the convention center during the Forum, please feel free to bring your own reusable water bottle to refill during the event.
Staying Connected (Internet)
Wifi will be provided at the Kigali Convention Centre during the Forum.
Local SIM cards are readily available for purchase at the airport and in the city. The primary provider is MTN, followed by Airtel Tigo. Mobile phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Note that Rwandan legislation requires every user/buyer to be registered to activate the SIM, but this is easy to do. Upon arrival, one would be required to present a form of identity of one’s preference (ID card or passport). At the point of purchase, visitors can register. There is high speed 4G LTE wireless broadband in Kigali.
Money
The Rwandan franc (FRw) is the principal currency. You should expect to pay for local services in cash, in Rwandan francs. A growing number of places accept credit and debit cards, with Visa being more widely accepted than Mastercard. It’s best to check at the time of booking.
ATMs can be found in Kigali and nearly all major hotels. Cash can be exchanged at banks and private forex bureaux (bureau de change). Both are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
It may be impossible to exchange travellers’ cheques away from the capital. Western Union facilities are common.
Food
As a Forum participant, please note that breakfast is included in all the official conference hotels. The Forum will also provide coffee breaks, lunches and two reception dinners (13-14 Feb.) for all delegates.
Beyond the Forum, Kigali’s incredibly diverse range of dining options will cater to food lovers from all walks of life. If you appreciate a good meal, there’s a cuisine for every taste and budget.
If you decide to extend your stay in Kigali after the Forum, you can explore the most outstanding restaurants with breathtaking views of the hills of Kigali. From great coffee shops serving Rwanda’s signature coffees, to fine-dining restaurants serving delectable cuisine there is something for you.
You will find information about various places to dine and shop in the ‘Dine & Shop Around Kigali’ PDF below.
Electrical Outlets
Rwanda uses Type C (has two round pins) and J (has three round pins) electrical outlets with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. The Type C electrical socket is most common in Europe except for Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta – the Type J electrical socket is common in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
If you’re visiting from another country, you’ll need a universal travel adaptor, which is a device that simply allows you to plug any electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket.
Additionally, you might want to pack a portable charger (power bank) so that you don’t need to worry about recharging your devices when you’re out and about.
Local Norms and Customs
On-the-spot fines are common and can be given for a wide range of behaviours which might be commonplace or tolerated in your country. For example, you can be fined for littering and for smoking in some public places.
Plastic ban
Plastic bags are not permitted in Rwanda as part of an environmental policy. Plastic bags must be discarded by passengers entering Kigali International Airport (KIA) or any border checkpoint. If you have plastic bags when you arrive in the country, they will be confiscated. Travellers are given a cost-effective, ecologically friendly alternative.
LGBTQIA+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal in Rwanda but is frowned upon by locals. LGBTQIA+ travellers can experience discrimination and abuse, including from local authorities. There are no specific anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBT+ individuals in Rwanda.
Using cameras in secure areas
It is illegal to photograph some government buildings. If you use a drone to take photographs of a prohibited area without a permit, you risk being imprisoned or receiving a severe fine.
Tourism in Rwanda
Rwanda is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, mountain rainforests, and sweeping plains. Travellers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, yet there is so much more to see and experience.
Emergency information
In case of emergencies, you can contact the emergency services by calling
111
fire department
112
ambulance and medical emergencies
113
traffic accidents
999
police
