Could a zone be useful for your business?

Kigali Special Economic Zone

Masoro, Gasabo District, Kigali

Phase I 98 ha, Phase II 178 ha · Prime Economic Zones Ltd, regulated by the Rwanda Development Board

Suitable sectors

• Heavy and light manufacturing
• Chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics
• Warehousing and logistics
• Telecommunications
• Wholesale and services

Infrastructure

• Serviced plots with an electricity substation
• Water supply
• On-site wastewater treatment

Eligibility

• Registered business licensed by RDB for zone operation
• Minimum plot of around one hectare as cited in the RDB zone catalogue
• Export Processing Zone user licence available for qualifying export manufacturers

Potential benefits

• Serviced industrial land in Kigali
• Customs-controlled area status where an EPZ user licence is granted
• One Stop Centre facilitation through RDB

Bugesera Special Economic Zone

Bugesera District, around 56 km from Kigali

335.67 ha · Public-private partnership between ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms and the Government of Rwanda

Suitable sectors

• Agriculture and agro-processing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Paper, packaging and glass
• Timber and meat processing
• Construction materials and recycling
• Garments and textiles

Infrastructure

• Master-planned serviced industrial platform
• Proximity to the new Bugesera airport development
• Road access toward Burundi, DRC, Tanzania and Uganda

Eligibility

• Application through the zone developer and the RDB One Stop Centre
• Business registration in Rwanda

Potential benefits

• Preferential corporate income tax where conditions are met
• 50% first-year accelerated depreciation
• Duty-free import of machinery and inputs within the EAC framework
• No restrictions on foreign ownership or capital flows

Incentive claims on the developer site should be confirmed against the RRA investment incentives guidance and your own eligibility.

Export Processing Zone user licence

Granted inside a Special Economic Zone, for example within Kigali SEZ

Minimum land of around one hectare · Licensed by the Rwanda Development Board

Suitable sectors

• Export-oriented manufacturing
• Value addition for export

Infrastructure

• Customs-controlled area within the host zone

Eligibility

• Export-oriented manufacturer operating within a Special Economic Zone
• EPZ user licence issued by RDB

Potential benefits

• Duty and VAT relief for export-oriented manufacturing under the customs area regime
• Simplified customs treatment for imported inputs destined for export production