Field Notes

Speed cameras are a normal part of driving in Kigali.

If you are caught speeding, the process is straightforward. The violation is recorded, and you receive a text message with the details and a link to pay the fine online.

The first time it happened to me, what surprised me was not the fine. It was how quickly everything happened.

This has been in place for years, so it is nothing new for people living here. Still, it is one of those small details that many visitors do not expect.

Another detail: the speed cameras all share the same name, Sophia.

What makes this interesting to me is that Rwanda often seems to skip steps that other countries took decades to build. Instead of modernizing older systems, Rwanda has frequently gone straight to digital ones.

The speed camera text message is a small example, but it reflects something I see across daily life here: services that are designed around mobile phones, digital payments, and connected systems from the start.

It is one of the many ways Rwanda challenges people's assumptions about what a developing country looks like or functions.

I almost never carry cash anymore.

Whether I'm buying vegetables at a local market, paying for a coffee, splitting a dinner bill, hopping on a motorcycle taxi, or having dinner at a restaurant, I usually pay with Mobile Money.

For visitors, this often comes as a surprise. Rwanda is still seen by many as a developing country, yet digital payments are part of daily life for millions of people.

One thing that still amazes me is how connected the system has become. I can send money from my Dutch Revolut account directly to my Rwandan Mobile Money account within seconds.

That does not mean cash has disappeared. It simply means there is a very good chance you will need it far less than you think.

What is even more interesting is what this means for businesses. When people are already comfortable making digital payments for everyday transactions, it becomes much easier to introduce new digital products and services.

In many ways, Mobile Money is more than a payment method. It is part of the foundation that enables new businesses to grow and scale.

One of the first things I tell visitors is simple: make sure you understand Mobile Money. It will make life a lot easier.

If I could recommend one underrated time to visit Rwanda, it might be May.

The city comes alive with visitors from across the continent for the Basketball Africa League. The atmosphere feels different. Restaurants are busier. Hotels fill up. There is an energy in the air.

At the same time, Kigali often hosts investment events, conferences, and business gatherings that attract founders, investors, and decision makers from across Africa and beyond.

It creates an interesting mix. You can spend the afternoon watching professional basketball and the evening discussing startups, agriculture, or investment opportunities over dinner.

Not many places combine those worlds so naturally.

One thing I often show people interested in real estate is the City of Kigali Master Plan.

Many cities have development plans, but they are not always easy to access or understand. In Rwanda, most policies, regulations, and planning documents are available online, making it surprisingly easy to find information and do your research from anywhere in the world.

You can see how areas are zoned, what types of development are allowed, and how the city is expected to grow over time.

That does not mean every project becomes simple. Real estate always involves research, due diligence, and local context.

What it does mean is that investors, developers, and landowners can often answer important questions before ever stepping on a plane.

The level of transparency surprises many people.

It is another example of Rwanda trying to make information accessible and planning more predictable.

One thing that often surprises people interested in real estate in Rwanda is the permitting process.

When you submit a building permit application, the authorities have to respond within 21 days.

That does not mean every project gets approved. It simply means you receive clarity quickly.

If the answer is yes, you can move forward. If the answer is no, you know where you stand and can adjust your plans.

Coming from Europe, where planning processes can sometimes take months or even years, this level of predictability stands out.

The process is not perfect, and real estate development still comes with challenges. But knowing whether you have a green light or a red light within a few weeks makes a significant difference.

For investors and developers, speed is often just as important as the outcome itself.

One fact I often share with visitors is that Rwanda is roughly the size of Belgium.

The reaction is usually surprise.

Many people imagine Rwanda as a vast country, especially when they first hear about gorillas, national parks, lakes, and rolling hills spread across the landscape.

In reality, distances are relatively manageable.

You can leave Kigali after breakfast, spend time at Lake Kivu, and be back in the city by evening if you choose. You can visit different parts of the country without spending hours in airports or relying on flights, as Rwanda has only one domestic route.

What makes this even more impressive is the quality of the road network.

For a country of its size, getting around is often easier than people expect.

It is one of the reasons Rwanda works so well for both travellers and business visitors.

You can see a lot in a relatively short amount of time.