Rwanda Grants Citizenship to 1,500 Foreigners Since 2009

KIGALI, February 12, 2026 - The Rwanda Immigration Service announced that since 2009, Rwanda has granted citizenship to 1,500 foreigners, drawn to the country for its security, peace, cleanliness, and ease of investment. Rusanganwa Jean Damascène, Director of Citizenship Services, told RBA that the latest round included 101 individuals, with 80 residing in Rwanda and 21 in Rwandan embassies abroad, who will gradually receive their citizenship. Citizenship is granted based on criteria such as birth in Rwanda, adoption on Rwandan soil, marriage, national interests, special knowledge or talents, large investments, residence in Rwanda, or honorary recognition. Rusanganwa emphasized that naturalized citizens have the same rights and obligations as all Rwandans, without distinctions by ethnic group, noting that the previous categories of Hutu, Tutsi, Twa, and Naturalized no longer apply. Regarding revocation, Organic Law No. 002/2021.OL of July 16, 2021, allows citizenship to be revoked under four circumstances: use of fraudulent documents, betrayal of the Republic, marriages intended solely to gain citizenship, or behavior contrary to Rwandan values. To date, no naturalized citizen has had their Rwandan citizenship revoked. The authority to grant Rwandan citizenship lies with the Cabinet, while citizenship granted on the basis of merit is under the discretion of the President of the Republic of Rwanda.