Figures from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) show that tourism generated $685 million in 2025, up from $647 million in 2024, representing a 6% increase.
The number of visitors to Rwanda also rose by 9%, reaching 1.49 million in 2025.
The figures are highlighted alongside the annual Henley Passport Index, which ranks the world’s passports and assesses the ease of international travel.
According to the report, Rwanda ranks 20th out of 199 countries in terms of how easily foreign travelers can enter the country, while the Rwandan passport ranks 128th globally in terms of travel freedom.
Rwanda ranks 120th among 159 World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries in terms of facilitating entry for foreign visitors. It ranks 45th among the 56 Commonwealth countries and 75th among the 132 countries that make up the G77.
Among the 60 countries where English is an official language, Rwanda ranks 48th. It ranks ninth among 29 French-speaking countries and third among the four countries where Swahili is an official language.
Among 57 countries governed by presidents, Rwanda ranks 36th.
Visa-free access to Rwanda
The report shows that passport holders from 127 countries can enter Rwanda without obtaining a visa in advance, either through visa-free entry, electronic authorization or visas issued on arrival.
These include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Japan.
Tuvalu is identified as a unique case in this category. Tuvaluan passport holders require a visa to enter Rwanda, while Rwandan citizens can travel to Tuvalu without a visa, using an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or obtaining a visa on arrival.
How Rwandans access other countries
The Rwandan passport has a mobility score of 71 destinations worldwide, meaning its holders can access approximately 35.9% of the world’s destinations without obtaining a traditional visa in advance.
Rwandan citizens can enter 33 countries without a visa, while 35 countries allow them to obtain a visa on arrival or use another simplified entry procedure. Three additional countries require an Electronic Travel Authorization.
By contrast, citizens holding Rwandan passports must obtain a visa before traveling to 127 countries.
In Africa, the Rwandan passport has a mobility score of 71.7%.
Rwandans can enter 20 African countries without a visa, while 16 allow them to obtain a visa on arrival or use another simplified entry procedure. Two countries require an Electronic Travel Authorization.
A further 15 African countries require Rwandan citizens to obtain a visa before traveling.
This places Rwanda 17th among Africa’s 54 countries, the same ranking it holds among the member states of the African Union.
Among the countries offering easier access to Rwandans, Kenya allows them to stay for up to 180 days.
Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritius, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda allow stays of up to 90 days.
Angola, Nigeria, Somalia and Togo allow stays of up to 30 days, while São Tomé and PrÃncipe allows Rwandan visitors to stay for up to 15 days.
Ghana is in the eTA category, allowing Rwandans to stay for up to 60 days. Seychelles requires an eTA and tourist registration, allowing visitors to stay for up to 90 days.
Europe and Central Asia remain difficult for Rwandans
Travel access for Rwandan passport holders remains particularly restricted in Europe, where the mobility rate stands at 0.0%. All 47 European countries require Rwandan citizens to obtain a visa before traveling.
The same applies to Central Asia, where all five countries require Rwandan passport holders to obtain visas in advance.
Overall, Oceania has a visa-access rate of 50% for Rwandan passport holders, while the Caribbean stands at 43.8%, Asia at 34.0%, North America at 26% and South America at 25.0%.
The Middle East stands at 17.6%, while the Gulf countries have an access rate of 16.7%.
In Asia, the Philippines, Palestine and Singapore are among the destinations that Rwandans can enter without a visa.
Singapore requires an arrival card and allows Rwandan citizens to stay for up to 30 days.
Sri Lanka is the only country in the region listed under the eTA category, allowing Rwandan travelers to stay for up to 30 days.
