The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has issued a firm reminder to all hospitality and entertainment establishments to strictly adhere to regulatory measures governing their operations.
The public notice, released on June 27, 2025, follows a high-level meeting between RDB, the City of Kigali, the Rwanda National Police, and key players in the hospitality sector.
The announcement reinforces existing laws and policies regulating the tourism and entertainment industries, including in addition to Cabinet Resolutions of August 1, 2023, which address night-time business operations and community noise levels.
The measures are already in effect and non-compliance will result in penalties ranging from fines and license suspension to permanent closure.
According to the new enforcement guidelines, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and liquor stores are now required to close by 1:00 a.m. on weekdays and 2:00 a.m. on weekends.
Opening hours begin at 5:00 a.m., while hotels are permitted to continue operations around the clock for in-house guests. Businesses seeking to operate beyond standard hours, such as for special events, must seek prior written approval from RDB.
Beyond closing times, the regulations emphasize public safety, particularly regarding overcrowding, excessive noise, and alcohol service.
Establishments are now required to strictly adhere to their authorized occupancy limits and to control sound levels within acceptable national decibel standards.
Vendors are also reminded of their legal obligation to refrain from selling alcohol to anyone under 18 and to verify patrons’ age using a valid ID. Visibly intoxicated individuals must not be served additional alcohol.
“This notice serves as a formal reminder of our collective duty to maintain public order, promote responsible hospitality practices, and ensure the safety and comfort of all Rwandans and visitors,” the RDB stated.
Speaking to the media, RDB’s Chief Tourism Officer, Irène Murerwa, explained that the enforcement of these rules is not about punishing businesses but about building a safer, more sustainable industry.
“We cannot have an industry that is not complying with regulations. It has a negative ripple effect on the youth, on everything, even the economy,” she said, emphasizing that RDB remains committed to supporting the hospitality sector, but it will not turn a blind eye to disorderly practices.
“You shouldn’t be making money because you’re breaching the rules. You shouldn’t be making money while you don’t have a license for running a business, or when your facilities are overcrowded,” she said.
She underscored the importance of maintaining a secure and enjoyable experience for all customers.
“If I have to come to your establishment and it’s overcrowded and people are falling down because they are so drunk… perhaps the money that I was supposed to be spending there, I’ll go and spend it somewhere else where I feel safe,” she noted.
RDB plans to continue engaging business owners through workshops to foster compliance, address operational challenges, and emphasize the serious consequences of non-compliance.
“It’s very important that as an industry we wake up again, we push for reforms, and at the same time produce a conducive environment so that no one feels frustrated,” Murerwa remarked.
