Health Information

COVID-19 Mandatory Protocols

Participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access the venue to attend AfPIF 2022 and wear a mask during travel and when in public and at the meeting (except when eating or drinking).

Note: Government of Rwanda’s updated COVID-19 information for participants:

• Covid-19 testing is no longer a requirement prior to boarding the flight to Rwanda. However, regular Covid-19 testing is encouraged.
• The Passenger Locator Form is no longer a requirement before departure.
• An additional Covid test is no longer required upon arrival at Kigali International Airport
• Certain meeting venues and national parks require Covid tests. Testing is available at health facilities and other designated sites for 5,000 RWF (or US$5) for rapid antigen tests, and 50,000 RWF (or US$50) for PCR tests (required to access Virunga National Park). Rwandan citizens pay a subsidized cost for PCR tests of 30,000 RWF (or US$30)
• Face masks are no longer mandatory in Rwanda, but their use is encouraged in public indoor settings.
• Find more information on the Government of Rwanda’s COVID-19 rules and regulations.

Other Vaccines

Participants are responsible for making sure that they are up to date on all routine vaccines that may be required for the entry to Rwanda. Check your specific situation.

Health Insurance Coverage

The AfPIF 2022 organizers and co-hosts are not responsible for medical, accident and travel insurance, compensation for death or disability, loss of or damage to personal property, or any other costs or losses that may be incurred during travel to or within Rwanda or the period of participation at the Forum.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended that participants obtain international medical insurance for the entire period of participation, including travel time.

Transportation Information

Airport

Kigali International Airport (IATA: KGL, ICAO: HRYR) is the main international airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The Kigali International Airport is 12km from the venue, which is an approximate of 25-minute drive.

International airlines providing services at Kigali International Airport are RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

Airport Taxis

• YegoCabs (white with horizontal orange strip) are available 24hrs/7, dial 9191 to have a taxi for 700 rwf/km
• Move (VolksWogen Mobility Solutions) Ö Polo vehicles are available 24/7, dial 1010 or 0783118818 for 750 rwf/km

Taxis are available around the clock at Kigali International Airport. However, most taxis might not have meters, therefore, it is strongly recommended for rates to be negotiated with the driver prior to the start of the journey. The official rates from the airport are RWF 2500 for the first kilometer travelled and 600 RWF per additional kilometer.

Hotel Shuttles

Most hotels in Kigali organize airport shuttles for a price ranging between USD 25-35 for one way. Each participant can directly arrange for transfer with the hotels upon booking.

Entry Visa for Rwanda

All passport holders are issued visas upon arrival at all border posts without prior application. More info can be found at Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration site.

The visa fee upon arrival is USD 50 payable by credit/debit card or cash. All travelers must hold a valid passport or another acceptable travel document. The document must have a validity of at least 6 months on the day of entry into Rwanda.

Since 6 March 2020, nationals of the African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie member states can get a 30-day visa on arrival free of charge.

Please note the Visa Called “V5 – Conference and meetings” will be issued to a foreigner who intends to enter Rwanda for a conference, meetings, workshops or any other related activity.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that they have the appropriate visa for travel.

Safety Information

Rwanda is safe, however, there are cases of burglary, theft, bag snatching and mugging in Kigali. It is recommended to take sensible precautions.

To help participants stay healthy during the visit, we strongly recommend to:

• ONLY drink bottled water to avoid any potential for water caused illness.
• Use bottled water even when brushing teeth (this is just a safety precaution).
• Make sure that the ice in drinks is made from bottled or purified water.

• Do not eat uncooked or street foods. It is best to avoid any salad or raw vegetables as these may not be washed in clean water.
• Use mosquito repellent especially at night in areas of high malaria prevalence (the whole country).
• Immediately treat any cuts or abrasions with antiseptic and/or antibiotic ointment to avoid infection.
• Always carry a copy of the passport. This provides a basic ID in emergency.

To help participants stay safe during your visit, we recommend some of the usual common sense:

• Avoid carrying large sums of cash and cameras in plain sight, avoid leaving belongings unattended. In other words, avoid the obvious visibility of valuables such as jewelry, cameras, laptops and tablets.
• Keep copies of all valuable documents in a safe place.
• Place valuables/passport in a hotel safe.
• Never leave personal property unattended.
• Don’t walk in deserted or dark areas.

Other Practical Information

Time Zone in UTC/GMT

Rwanda observes Central Africa Time (UTC+02:00) all year. There are no daylight-saving time clock changes.

Climate

Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate, with lower temperatures than are typical for equatorial countries due to its high elevation. Kigali, in the center of the country, has a typical daily temperature range between 12 °C (54 °F) and 27 °C (81 °F), with little variation through the year.

Electricity/Power Plug

The electricity supply in Rwanda is 220/240V AC. In Rwanda, most power plugs and sockets are type C and J, be prepared with an adapter for your electrical devices.

Currency

The currency is Rwandan Francs (RWF), although US dollars are widely accepted.

Participants can use credit cards at hotels, restaurants and big shopping malls. ATMs are widely available in most major cities, however, it is wise to have some local currency at all times. Be aware of vulnerability to theft or pickpocketing when withdrawing money from ATMs. It is best to use ATMs in safe areas such as hotels.

Expect to pay for local services in cash, in Rwandan Francs. The greater the amount, the more likely US dollars or other hard currencies might be preferred. Check RWF to USD latest exchange rate.

Plastic Ban

Refrain from bringing plastic bags to Rwanda. Banned by law since 2008, any plastic bags in luggage will be confiscated at the airport or other point of entry.