Currency in Rwanda - A Full Guide 2024
Planning a trip to Rwanda? Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.
This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in Rwanda, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip.
What is the currency in Rwanda?
The official currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc, which is issued and overseen by the National Bank of Rwanda. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown - RWF. In stores and restaurants, Rwandan Franc prices are likely to use the currency symbol FRw.
Once you’re in Rwanda you’ll see costs of items shown in RWF and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:
banknotes - 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50.
Can you officially pay in GBP when you are in Rwanda?
You’re unlikely to be able to officially transact in GBP in Rwanda, which is why it’s time to start getting used to RWF and learning more about the currency exchange rates so you’ll know what you’re spending on your trip.
This guide will walk through all you need to know, including British Pound/Rwandan Franc rates and where best to get your travel money from.
| Rwandan Franc | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Rwandan Franc |
| ISO code | RWF |
| Symbol | FRw |
| Subunit | Centime |
| Central Bank | National Bank of Rwanda |
| Best travel cards to take to Rwanda | Wise |
Rwandan Franc coins and banknotes
Here’s a full rundown of the RWF coins and banknotes you’ll need to be familiar with when you’re in Rwanda.
| RWF banknotes | RWF coins |
|---|---|
| 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 |
Is GBP accepted in Rwanda?
As we’ve seen, the official currency in Rwanda is RWF. If you carry British Pound with you on your trip, you’ll probably need to exchange it before you can spend.
Sometimes when you’re away on a trip abroad you’ll find that merchants will take payments in a selection of major foreign currencies. However, the chances are that where this is offered, you won’t get a good exchange rate for your GBP. Planning smart and convenient ways to spend in RWF when you’re away is likely to mean you save on costs in the end.
Usually, having a few different ways to pay and get cash is the best option for travelers and tourists. That’s because you’ll have a back up plan in case one payment method isn’t accepted for any reason, and you can pick the method that’s best suited to the specific transaction. Having a multi-currency card from a provider like Wise, plus your normal bank debit card, and some local cash in RWF should mean you’ve always got options. You can use your cash for small purchases and tipping, and make low cost payments and cash withdrawals with your multi-currency card, while keeping your bank card in reserve for emergencies.
Use a travel card on your next trip to Rwanda
Using a travel debit card in Rwanda is usually cheap, safe and convenient. A few providers in the UK offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in RWF. That allows you to add a balance in GBP and switch over to RWF to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget.
Once you have RWF in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either.
Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in Rwanda.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card online or in the Wise app, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies and manage your money from your phone. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in RWF - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
✅ Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate ✅ No foreign transaction fees apply ✅ Free to hold and spend 40+ currencies ✅ Receive payments to your Wise account in a selection of global currencies ✅ No minimum balance or ongoing fees | ❌ Card order fee applies ❌ ATM fees apply once you’ve exhausted your free monthly withdrawals |
What is the currency exchange rate for £ 1 GBP/RWF?
It’s helpful to get to know the live GBP/RWF rate so you can easily calculate how much things are costing you while you’re on your trip abroad.
The rate you need to focus on is the mid market rate, which is the one banks and major currency services get when buying and selling currencies. This rate isn’t always passed on to customers. Instead you may find that the GBP/RWF rate you get when exchanging travel cash includes a markup - an extra fee.
Find the GBP/RWF mid-market rate from a currency conversion site or a website like this, so you can keep an eye on the market and compare the rates you’re offered as you travel against the mid-market rate easily.
Should I exchange GBP to RWF before traveling to Rwanda?
It’s a good idea to exchange British Pounds to Rwandan Franc before you head off to Rwanda, as you can often find a better exchange rate and lower overall costs before you travel.
When you’re in Rwanda you may need RWF in cash for some of your spending - particularly when tipping or making smaller value purchases. Buying your RWF travel money in advance can get you better GBP/RWF exchange rates, and saves you wasting precious time shopping around for a good deal once you arrive in Rwanda.
Get familiar with the exchange rates offered locally to you, and online, so you can decide whether it’s worth switching some funds in advance of travel, using a card to pay while you’re away, or converting cash on arrival. Both in the UK and in Rwanda, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. A captive market means that GBP/RWF rates are often worse in the airport than in city centers.
Tips for exchanging money in Rwanda
At merchants and ATMs, make sure you’re charged in RWF. If you’re asked if you’d rather pay in GBP instead, say no. That’s a sign of dynamic currency conversion, which usually means extra costs. Withdrawing money in target-currency can be easy, particularly in big cities and Kigali, here’s a few other tips if you want to exchange money in Rwanda
- Avoid using exchange providers at airports or hotels in Rwanda as they usually offer pretty poor exchange rates because they have a captive market and little competition nearby
- Use a travel debit card like the Wise card while you’re in Rwanda for fast and cheap conversion between currencies and easy ways to manage your money from your phone
Best place to exchange currency in Rwanda
You can get your RWF in Rwanda in a couple of ways.
You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online.
Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in GBP to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city centre are likely to be cheaper overall.
How to pay in Rwanda?
You’ll need to have RWF to spend in Rwanda. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won't accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. Here are your key payment options in Rwanda.
Debit or credit card
Card payments can be helpful in shops, restaurants and hotels but there will be places where cash is also important. Order a travel card from a provider like Wise for cheap and fast transactions, including card payments and cash withdrawals as and when you need travel money in RWF.
Rwandan Franc cash
You’ll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Rwanda, but carrying some cash in RWF is also reassuring. It’s often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.
It’s a smart idea to have both a card and some cash in RWF when you’re in Rwanda. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise alongside your cash for flexibility.
Paying for the trip in GBP
If you’re paying for things in Rwanda with a GBP bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.
Travel debit cards don’t always work this way. When you make purchases in Rwanda using the Wise card you can either choose to convert your account balance to RWF in advance in the Wise app, or just leave your balance in British Pound and let the card handle the transaction when you pay. You’ll always get the lowest available fee and there are no extra foreign transaction charges.
Conclusion - Currency in Rwanda
You won’t be able to pay in GBP when you visit Rwanda - so learning about the currency you need is essential. Whether you decide to use a travel debit card from a service like Wise , or stock up on RWF in cash in advance, knowing the mid-market exchange rate can help you get the best available deal. Use this guide to learn all you need to know about the options, rates and fees for exchanging GBP to RWF, and make your money go further while you’re away.
The official currency in Rwanda is RWF. You can’t usually pay in British Pound in Rwanda, so you’ll need to plan in advance to get your travel money sorted. Consider ordering a travel debit card from a service like Wise, for low cost conversions to RWF and convenient spending and withdrawals - and remember that knowing the GBP to RWF mid-market exchange rate is essential to check you’re getting a fair deal on currency exchange.
FAQ - Currency in Rwanda
What is the currency in Rwanda called?
The official currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc. You may also see the code RWF and the currency symbol FRw.
What's the currency in Kigali?
The official currency in Kigali is the Rwandan Franc. You’ll only be able to spend in RWF while you’re there.
What is the old Rwanda currency?
Today the currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc. If you’re worried about currencies changing, why not get a travel debit card from a service like Wise which will automatically pick the currency needed in your destination when making a payment - with no penalties or inflated fees.
What is the best currency to take to Rwanda?
You’ll only be able to spend in RWF while you’re in Rwanda. Carrying some money in cash and using a travel debit card from a service like Wise is usually the best way to spend while you’re away from home.