Data Centers in Rwanda
2 locations found
Need Help?
Tell us about your needs and our team of experts will help you find and choose the perfect Data Center and solution at the best price.
Rwanda – Emerging Digital Hub for East Africa
Executive Summary
Rwanda is establishing itself as a strategic digital hub for Central and East Africa. Its developing infrastructure is best suited for organizations targeting regional service delivery, disaster recovery, and market entry into the East African Community. For these businesses, leveraging Rwandan data centers provides a crucial foothold in one of Africa's most rapidly evolving technology ecosystems.
Rwanda: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Reflects a developing but improving international connectivity landscape. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Nearest major cloud hubs include Nairobi and Johannesburg. Private connectivity is available. |
| Power Cost | RWF 150.00–180.00/kWh (est.) | Dominated by hydropower, influencing cost and seasonal availability. |
| Disaster Risk | Moderate (4.3/10) – as of September 2025 | Primary risks include epidemic events, drought, and seismic activity. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes | A long-standing investment incentive agreement with the U.S. supports foreign investment. |
| Sales Tax | 18% VAT – as of September 2025 | The standard Value Added Tax rate applied to goods and services. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: The market includes at least 2 data centers as of September 2025, with a growing number of local and regional carriers. Carrier-neutral facilities provide the primary interconnection points for businesses operating in the country.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct public cloud on-ramps within Rwanda, meaning access to the 0 local cloud regions requires connecting to providers in other markets. The nearest major cloud hubs are in Nairobi, Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Secure, private connections can be established via dedicated circuits and point-to-point links.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The Rwanda Internet Exchange (RINEX) is the primary IXP. It plays a vital role in localizing traffic, reducing latency for domestic users, and lowering transit costs for service providers.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available, primarily through regional providers and global companies that service emerging markets. Providers like Leaseweb offer solutions suitable for deploying dedicated compute resources in the region.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity costs are estimated between RWF 150.00–180.00/kWh as of September 2025. This rate makes careful power consumption planning a key factor for managing operational expenses.
Power Grid Reliability: The national grid relies heavily on hydropower (~55%), supplemented by methane gas, thermal, and solar generation. While improving, the grid can be subject to inconsistencies, making data center-level UPS systems and backup generators essential for maintaining uptime.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Rwanda are centered around the capital, Kigali. This location provides low-latency access to the country's primary financial institutions, government agencies, and the growing tech scene at hubs like Kigali Innovation City.
Regional Market Reach: Rwanda's strategic location makes it an effective service delivery point for the East African Community (EAC), including countries like Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: The nation offers clear tax advantages through its investment incentive agreements. These policies are designed to attract foreign capital and technology investment by creating a favorable and predictable financial environment for long-term projects.
Natural Disaster Risk
Rwanda has a moderate overall disaster risk profile, with an INFORM Risk score of 4.3 out of 10 as of September 2025. The primary natural hazards requiring consideration in infrastructure planning are not catastrophic weather events but rather environmental and health-related challenges.
Key risks include:
- Epidemic: Score of 6
- Earthquake: Score of 4
- Drought: Score of 3.8
- River Flood: Score of 2.7
As a landlocked country, Rwanda faces no risk from tsunamis, tropical cyclones, or coastal flooding.
