Money in Rwanda

Change dollars or euros at an exchange bureau

US dollars and euros are the foreign currencies most easily changed into Rwandan francs, at the exchange bureaus and banks of Kigali and the larger towns; pounds sterling are changed in Kigali too. Recent, clean notes without tears or writing on them are the ones to bring, as older and worn notes may be refused, and the francs are counted at the counter before leaving it.

Cash machines in the towns, none in the parks

Kigali has cash machines across the city, and Musanze, Rubavu and Huye have them at their banks. In the countryside they thin out, and there are none in the national parks, so the francs for days at Nyungwe, at Akagera or around the volcanoes are drawn in town beforehand. Cash is drawn by day and little of it carried at a time, one of the everyday precautions in Rwanda.

Cards at hotels, lodges and larger Kigali businesses

Foreign cards are taken at hotels and lodges and at the larger restaurants, supermarkets and shops of Kigali. Small restaurants, market stalls and motorbike taxis, and most businesses outside the capital, take cash. When booking a room or a tour, it is worth asking whether the bill can be settled by card.

Francs in small notes for everyday payments

Markets such as Kimironko in Kigali, small restaurants, roadside stalls and taxis are paid in Rwandan francs in cash, and on a motorbike taxi the fare is agreed before setting off. Small notes are worth keeping: outside Kigali, change for a large note is not always at hand.