Rwanda

Region: Eastern Africa Regional Economic Communities (REC): COMESA · EAC · ECCAS

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(To be linked)

• COMESA
• EAC
• ECCAS

Rwanda’s population is estimated at approximately 14.6 million (2025).

The informal economy accounts for approximately 28.9% of GDP, estimated at USD 14 billion (PPP).

Rwanda has a hybrid legal system, combining:

• Civil law traditions (German and Belgian origins)
• Common law influences (including the use of precedent)

Rwanda has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1962.

The country implements a Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) aligned with national development strategies, focusing on:

• Employment creation
• Social protection
• Social dialogue
• Fundamental rights at work

Constitution of 2003

• Guarantees the right to form trade unions (Art. 38), subject to the existence of an employment relationship

Ejo Heza Long-Term Savings Scheme (Act No. 29/2017)

• Covers informal and self-employed workers
• Provides benefits for:
  • Old age
  • Disability
  • Death

Key features:

• Flexible contribution system (based on capacity)
• Government co-contributions (incentive-based)
• Partial withdrawal allowed for:
  • Housing
  • Education
  • Loan collateral

Regulatory note: Rwanda demonstrates a highly innovative model of informal economy inclusion through flexible, incentive-based social protection.

Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme

• Covers self-employed and informal workers
• Funded through:
  • Public and private sector contributions
  • Service fees (e.g. telecoms, vehicle inspections, gaming services)

Regulatory note: Strong integration of informal workers into national health and social protection systems.

Law No. 66/2018 of 30/08/2018 (Labour Law)

• Regulates domestic work relationships
• Establishes:
  • Minimum age (16 years; light work permitted from 13 under conditions)
  • Employment contracts
  • Wages and working conditions
  • Health and safety standards

Regulatory note: Domestic work is explicitly regulated within general labour law.

Street vending is regulated through licensing, food safety, and public health frameworks.

Key laws:

• Law No. 003/2018 (Rwanda FDA)
• Law No. 47/2012 (Food and Pharmaceutical Products Regulation)

Requirements:

• Business licensing
• Health permits
• Compliance with food safety standards

Street vendors are classified as retail food operators, alongside restaurants and food outlets.

Regulatory note: Strong emphasis on public health regulation and formalisation.

Act No. 48/2018 (Environment Law)

• Regulates:
  • Liquid waste (Art. 17)
  • Solid waste (Art. 18)
  • Hazardous waste (Art. 19)
  • Electronic waste (Art. 20)

Key principles:

• Mandatory waste sorting and disposal
• Licensing requirements
• Environmental protection obligations

Regulation No. 002/2018 (E-Waste Management)

• Requires licensing for all actors in the e-waste chain

Regulatory note: Strong environmental governance framework with indirect regulation of informal waste actors.

Rwanda does not have a dedicated remote work law but provides functional flexibility mechanisms.

Law No. 66/2018 (Labour Law) Ministerial Order No. 01/MIFOTRA/23 of 13/06/2023

• Introduces “flexible working hours”
• Allows remote work under defined conditions

Key features:

• Flexible working hour between 08:00–09:00
• Weekly working hours: 40 hours
• Employer discretion over schedules

Regulatory note: Partial recognition of remote work within broader labour regulation.

Rwanda integrates gig workers through social protection legislation.

Key laws:

• Act No. 06/2003 (Social Security)
• Act No. 05/2015 (Pension Schemes)
• Act No. 48/2015 (Health Insurance)

Provisions:

• Voluntary or mandatory inclusion of self-employed workers
• Pension access for informal workers
• Health insurance coverage

Regulatory note: Strong inclusion of gig workers via universalised social protection frameworks.

Law No. 66/2018 (Labour Law) National Employment Policy (2007) National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) National Agriculture Policy (2017) PSTA 4 (2018–2024)

Focus areas:

• Employment creation
• Agricultural productivity
• Youth inclusion

Regulatory note: Farm work is integrated into national development planning rather than sector-specific labour regulation.

Law No. 58/2018 (Mining and Quarry Law)

• Regulates:
  • Exploration
  • Extraction
  • Processing
  • Trade

Institution:

• Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB)

Extensive secondary regulations govern:

• Licensing
• Environmental compliance
• Anti-money laundering
• Mineral trading

Regulatory note: Highly formalised regulatory regime with strong institutional oversight.

Regulated by:

• Law No. 39/2001 (RURA Act)
• Passenger Road Transport Regulations No. 007/2015

Oversight:

• Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA)

Key features:

• Licensing and operational standards
• Coverage of taxis, buses, motorcycles and cross-border transport

Emerging regulation:

• Proposed platform transport law (PL 1471/22)
• Focus on:
  • Social security
  • Fair remuneration
  • Worker classification

Regulatory note: Rwanda is actively transitioning toward formal regulation of platform transport work.

Rwanda adopts a facilitative regulatory approach.

Key features:

• Recognition of informal cross-border trade (ICBT)
• Focus on:
  • Small-scale traders
  • Women traders
  • Border communities

Policy objectives:

• Simplify trade procedures
• Improve compliance
• Enhance revenue collection

Regulatory note: Balanced approach combining facilitation and regulation.

• IIAG – Rwanda: https://iiag.online/locations/rw.html
• Rwanda Labour Law (Law No. 66/2018)
• Ejo Heza Scheme (Act No. 29/2017)
• Rwanda Environment Law (Act No. 48/2018)
• RURA Regulations (2015)