News

Keep up to date with the latest news, blogs and commentary from Kigali international finance centre.

FEATURED: KIFC reflects on three-year journey, lays out future priorities

FEATURED: KIFC reflects on three-year journey, lays out future priorities

KIFC seeks to remain an attractive, compliant, and credible international finance centre, underpinned by its openness to international markets and robust regulatory standards.

Rwanda and Singapore Launch Annual Global Inclusive FinTech Forum to Advance Innovation in Inclusive Finance

Rwanda and Singapore Launch Annual Global Inclusive FinTech Forum to Advance Innovation in Inclusive Finance

Kigali, January 25, 2023: Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), Rwanda’s financial centre facilitating international investment and cross-border transactions in Africa, and Elevandi, a company set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to advance FinTech in the digital economy, today announced the launch of the first annual Inclusive FinTech Forum, to be held from […]

Bloomberg | Rwanda Builds an Ecosystem for Innovation

Bloomberg | Rwanda Builds an Ecosystem for Innovation

Transforming the investment landscape for the financial sector, spearheaded by the Kigali International Financial Centre, is well underway. “We’ve created the policies,” says Nick Barigye, the CEO of Rwanda Finance Limited, which is the agency committed to developing and promoting Kigali International Financial Centre. “Now, we want to create an ecosystem for innovators and future […]

Rwanda, Singapore enter financial services deal: what it means

Rwanda, Singapore enter financial services deal: what it means

Rwanda and Singapore last week formally entered into a partnership dubbed Financial Trust Corridor initiative, which seeks to facilitate transactions and create greater trust between financial institutions and businesses in Rwanda and Singapore. The agreement was signed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (for Singapore) and Rwanda Finance Limited. The Financial Trust Corridor (FTC) initiative […]

Rwanda hosts World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) board meeting, for the first time

Rwanda hosts World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) board meeting, for the first time

From March 22nd to 25th Rwanda Finance Limited hosted WAIFC’s 3rd board meeting – a key milestone for Rwanda, as the country ambitiously cements its role on the finance world stage. Executives from different leading financial centers around the world met in Kigali for a series of three-day engagements which included events focusing on fintech, […]

Kigali International Financial Center featured in the 2022 World Finance 100 list

Kigali International Financial Center featured in the 2022 World Finance 100 list

We are delighted to share that Kigali International Financial Centre was featured in the 2022 World Finance 100 list! Each year World Finance compiles a list of 100 individuals and companies based purely on excellence in their chosen field. The list presents the new business elite, made up of those whose vision and enterprise shapes […]

CHOGM: Kigali Financial Centre gains new members

CHOGM: Kigali Financial Centre gains new members

The membership of Kigali International Finance Centre grew further this week as continental finance players expressed interest in setting up operations in the regional financial hub. During a panel session at the ongoing Commonwealth Business Forum, dubbed,‘Transforming Rwanda into a Pan-African financial hub: the KIFC journey’, two continental players announced their debut. Chipper Cash, a […]

How Kigali International Financial Centre aims to Fast-track Rwanda as a Preferred Financial Centre for Investments in Africa.

How Kigali International Financial Centre aims to Fast-track Rwanda as a Preferred Financial Centre for Investments in Africa.

It is no secret that African economies have been among the fastest growing in the world over the last 10 years. African GDP has tripled since 1990 and the continent recorded more than twice the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) compared to Europe and Latin America during 2010 – 2019. With huge spikes in VC […]

IFC Media interviews Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC)

IFC Media interviews Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC)

IFC: September 2021 saw the addition of Kigali to the Global Financial Centres Index, which measures the competitiveness of financial centres globally. To what do you attribute Kigali’s successful performance and ranking? KIFC: Yes, that’s correct, Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) recently debuted on the GFCI. We were among the top five IFCs in Sub-Saharan […]

Kigali International Finance Centre (KIFC) to be part of high-level discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

Kigali International Finance Centre (KIFC) to be part of high-level discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

From the 19 – 25 June 2022, The Government of Rwanda is hosting the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali under the theme “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming” with a focus on the current and most pressing economic and business issues, as the global economy recovers from recent crises. During […]

Chairman Tidjane Thiam’s Visit

Chairman Tidjane Thiam’s Visit

From February 23rd – 28th 2022, our board Chair Tidjane Thiam was in Rwanda accompanied by two investors: Adam Gishen, CEO of Freedom Acquisition I and JB Rolland Chief Technology Officer of Credijusto/Banco Covalto. During his visit the Chairman met different government officials and leaders including the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, the Minister […]

The Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) announces the first Fintech-focused Africa Fund at a high-level forum in Dubai

The Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) announces the first Fintech-focused Africa Fund at a high-level forum in Dubai

The Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) held its first international event themed: the “Kigali International Financial Centre: The Home of Africa’s Fintechs” forum on Wednesday 2 February at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai. This event was organized on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo 2020 where Rwanda celebrated its National Day on 1 February. The […]

Rwanda and China agree to eliminate double taxation, prevent tax evasion and avoidance

Rwanda and China agree to eliminate double taxation, prevent tax evasion and avoidance

China and Rwanda on December 07, 2021, signed an agreement for the elimination of double taxation with respect to tax on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance (DTAA). This agreement will play an instrumental role in promoting bilateral trade and investment between both countries, by removing the burden of double taxation on […]

Rwanda and Luxembourg Sign Bilateral Agreement to support the Kigali International Financial Centre

Rwanda and Luxembourg Sign Bilateral Agreement to support the Kigali International Financial Centre

Honorable Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Republic of Rwanda and Honorable Franz Fayot, Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on October 19, 2021, signed a bilateral cooperation agreement on the sidelines of Africa Microfinance Week, the largest inclusive finance conference in Africa. The signing parties will work […]

Making green financing a reality

Making green financing a reality

Rwanda is positioning itself as a hub for green investment as it trials a new instrument to credit check SMEs’ green credentials. As the curtain falls on COP26, the world is wondering how nations can make good on big promises to pursue development while containing the climate crisis. Rwanda, for example, needs sweeping investment to […]

Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) Announces Domiciliation of Virunga Africa Fund I – A USD 250 Million Pan African Fund

Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) Announces Domiciliation of Virunga Africa Fund I – A USD 250 Million Pan African Fund

KIGALI, RWANDA, 2 November 2021 – The Kigali International Financial Centre, the destination of choice for compliant and professional financial services and cross-border investments in Africa, announces the establishment of the $250 million Virunga Africa Fund I (the ‘Fund’), which will invest in vital sectors that will drive economic and social transformation across the African […]

The World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) meets in Dubai for its Annual General Meeting 2021 and welcomes the Italian Banking, Insurance, and Finance Federation (FeBAF) as its 21st member

The World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) meets in Dubai for its Annual General Meeting 2021 and welcomes the Italian Banking, Insurance, and Finance Federation (FeBAF) as its 21st member

Dubai, 26.10.2021 – Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) hosted WAIFC’s Annual General Meeting 2021 in Dubai today. More than 30 member representatives took part in the meeting. The WAIFC General Meeting unanimously approved the membership of the Italian Banking, Insurance, and Finance Federation (FeBAF). FeBAF was an observer before, and all WAIFC members are very […]

Kigali International Financial Centre debuts on Global Financial Centres Index

Kigali International Financial Centre debuts on Global Financial Centres Index

The Kigali International Financial Centre has made its debut on the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), a renowned ranking on the competitiveness of financial centres across the world. The index rates 116 financial centres across the world combining assessments from financial professionals with quantitative data which form instrumental factors. The methodology considers over 77,000 financial […]

Rwanda, Luxembourg sign double taxation avoidance deal

Rwanda, Luxembourg sign double taxation avoidance deal

Rwanda and Luxembourg have signed an agreement for the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance between the two countries. The deal was signed on Wednesday, September 29, in Luxembourg City by Amb. Dieudonné Sebashongore, the Rwandan envoy to the Grand Duchy […]

Inside new Rwanda, Qatar financial services agreement

Inside new Rwanda, Qatar financial services agreement

Rwanda and Qatar are set to benefit from mutual recognition agreements for new business opportunities in both markets following a new agreement between Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL). The two institutions last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at facilitating different initiatives that will promote the international development of both […]

Rwanda signs international convention on tax matters

Rwanda signs international convention on tax matters

Rwanda this week became a signatory to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (MAAC). The treaty is a commitment by Rwanda to comply with international standards from the European Union and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This will enable Rwanda to expand her network of information exchange partners from the […]

Rwanda raises US$ 620 million through a 10-year Eurobond

Rwanda raises US$ 620 million through a 10-year Eurobond

2 August 2021 – The Government of Rwanda has successfully raised US$ 620 million through the issuance of a 10-year Eurobond. Announcing the results, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said: “Rwanda has a strong track record of sound economic policies and reforms that have led to sustained high economic growth, […]

Turkey, Rwanda seek greater cooperation in financial sector: Envoy

Turkey, Rwanda seek greater cooperation in financial sector: Envoy

Turkey is exploring additional cooperation opportunities with Rwanda in the financial sector as it displays great efforts to become a financial hub for Africa, with the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), according to a Turkish diplomat. KIFC is an initiative seeking to position Rwanda as a preferred financial hub for investments on the continent and […]

Chairman’s Tidjane’s visit

Chairman’s Tidjane’s visit

Board Chairman Tidjane Thiam’s visited our offices and interacting with the team for the first time, on May 28, 2021. He met two board members and the Rwanda Finance Limited staff to discuss the increasing importance Kigali International Financial Centre is having on investment into Africa. Mr Thiam’s role as Chair is to oversee and […]

Rwanda aims to turn Kigali into an African financial centre to drive investment

Rwanda aims to turn Kigali into an African financial centre to drive investment

Rwanda is seeking to extend it range of partnerships with global financial centres to accelerate its development as an African hub, Rwanda Finance CEO Nick Barigye tells The Africa Report. Discussions are taking place with potential partners in Europe, the Middle East and North America, Barigye says from Kigali. “The missing link for Africa is […]

New branding for Kigali International Financial Centre unveiled

New branding for Kigali International Financial Centre unveiled

Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL) on Wednesday, March 31 unveiled the new brand for the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC). The KIFC is poised to become one of the leading international financial centres on the continent, and has developed a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, robust infrastructure, and a skilled and dynamic workforce that will help […]

Belgium and Rwanda strengthen ties through new partnership

Belgium and Rwanda strengthen ties through new partnership

In a new era for Belgian-Rwanda relations, Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL) and the Belgian Finance Center (BFC) announce the signing of an extended partnership to strengthen ties between their financial sectors. This marks the beginning of a new journey of partnership and cooperation for the two countries. The newly signed agreement between RFL and the […]

Tidjane Thiam chairs Rwanda Finance Board meeting

Tidjane Thiam chairs Rwanda Finance Board meeting

The Board of Directors of Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL) is to convene on the 3rd February to discuss the extensive progress made by RFL in establishing the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), on the path to becoming the leading financial centre for international investment in Africa. The Board is chaired by highly influential figure Tidjane […]

Why Rwanda adopted law on mutual legal assistance

Why Rwanda adopted law on mutual legal assistance

Last week parliament adopted a law governing mutual legal assistance in criminal matters which allows cooperation between countries for the purpose of collecting and exchanging information in an effort to enforce criminal laws. The development provides a mechanism through which Rwanda can request assistance or provide assistance to a foreign state in criminal matters. The […]