Chinese Tourist Arrivals in Rwanda Rise 367% in Five Years.

The figures were announced by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kangeli Muganza during an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on November 9, 2026.

The interview took place in China on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), an international trade fair that brings together companies and investors from different countries.

Muganza said that although the number of Chinese visitors to Rwanda remains relatively low, more than quadrupling in five years points to significant potential in the Chinese tourism market. 

“Another important thing I can say is that the figures we have are encouraging. Over the past five years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Rwanda has quadrupled. In 2021, we received 3,000 tourists, while last year we received 14,000. The figures are still relatively low, but we are seeing growth,” she said.

She highlighted Rwanda's natural attractions, which she said could continue to draw Chinese tourists, including the mountain gorillas found in Volcanoes National Park.

Muganza noted that the gorillas were once threatened with extinction, but conservation efforts by Rwanda have helped increase their population. 

Beyond gorilla trekking, tourists can visit Akagera National Park, home to the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceroses.

Nyungwe National Park is another attraction, offering diverse monkey species, birds, waterfalls and the famous Canopy Walkway.

Muganza also pointed to Kigali's modern infrastructure, saying it makes the city an ideal destination for international conferences, business activities and cultural events.

She reaffirmed Rwanda's readiness to welcome more Chinese tourists and showcase the country's attractions. 

Travel between Rwanda and China also increases.

The rise in Chinese tourist arrivals comes as the number of Rwandans travelling to China continues to grow, largely driven by cooperation between the two countries in trade, education and tourism. 

In April 2026, China's Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, said the number of Rwandans travelling to China had nearly doubled in two years. 

He said more than 3,500 Rwandans travelled to China in 2023, compared with 7,000 in 2025.

Gao attributed the increase largely to measures introduced to make it easier for Rwandans to obtain Chinese visas. 

These include an online visa application system, a 25 per cent reduction in visa application fees and a temporary exemption from fingerprint requirements for some short-term visa applicants. 

The latter two measures have been extended until the end of 2026. 

China remains a key market for Rwandan exports.

During her interview with CGTN, Muganza also highlighted the CIIE as an opportunity for Rwandan businesses to access new markets in China and attract investors.

Rwanda is participating in the expo through businesses from various sectors, including exporters of coffee, tea, chilli peppers and macadamia nuts.

"The CIIE is always an opportunity for our exporters and private-sector players to come and explore markets here in China. We have exporters here dealing in chilli peppers, macadamia nuts, coffee, tea and many other products," she said.

She described China as a major partner for Rwanda in trade, investment and development projects.

Figures she cited show that Rwanda exported goods worth $160 million to China in 2025, representing an 89 per cent increase compared with the previous year. 

Muganza said the growth demonstrates the important role the Chinese market continues to play in expanding Rwanda's exports.

She added that cooperation between the two countries goes beyond trade to include investment and major development projects in Rwanda.

"We also see this as an opportunity to attract foreign investment. We have been receiving many investors from China, including those who have been drawn by activities such as the CIIE," she said.

Chinese investors have increasingly been involved in Rwanda in areas such as agro-processing, manufacturing and construction.

Muganza said Rwanda would continue to make use of its partnership with China to increase exports to the Chinese market, attract investors and promote tourism.