New Builds and Off-Plan in Rwanda
Off-plan apartments, townhouses, and estates. We work for buyers, and we work with developers who want their projects sold properly.
Introduction
Isanzi connects developers to buyers, tenants, and investors across Rwanda. Add your project yourself in minutes, or hand us the full sales and marketing effort.
For buyers, we are a buyer-facing service. We check what can be checked, and we tell you what we find. If a project appears to carry significant risks, we say so before you commit.
For developers, we provide a sales and marketing mandate that covers everything from listing to completion. Either way, every project is verified before it goes live.
For buyers
We are not a marketing arm for developers
When you are considering an off-plan purchase, we work for you. We explain what we know, what we do not know, and what you should verify yourself before committing to anything.
What we check before listing
When we list a development, we check the following:
- The developer's registration with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
- The project's planning status and any available information on zoning compliance
- The developer's track record on completed projects, where public information is available
- The realism of the completion timeline against the current construction stage
- The structure of the payment plan, including stage payments and release conditions
- Any declared escrow, bank guarantee, or buyer payment protection arrangement
If a project appears to carry significant risks, or if the developer does not provide the information we ask for, we will tell you.
What you should verify yourself
We advise every buyer to carry out independent legal due diligence before signing anything. You can:
- Confirm the developer's RDB registration directly
- Ask for the building permit and confirm it with the relevant authority
- Ask what protection is in place for your deposit, and how it is released
- Instruct a qualified Rwandan lawyer to review the sale agreement
The process
We explain the full process, from reservation agreement to stage payments and final handover. We accompany you on site visits and help you ask the right questions.
If you are considering an off-plan purchase, speak to an Isanzi agent before committing to anything.
How you get listed
Two ways to get your development on Isanzi. Same for every property type.
You upload it yourself
Create a free Isanzi account, add the development and its units, and publish. Takes a few minutes.
- Create a free account as a developer
- Add the development: type, units, sizes, pricing, payment plans, completion timeline, photos
- Submit for review
- We verify, and it goes live
We do it for you
Hand us the full sales and marketing effort. We produce the listing, market the project, and manage buyer enquiries and viewings.
- We agree a term and sales targets with you
- We produce photography, floor plans, and project documents
- We run the marketing and manage buyer enquiries and viewings
- You receive weekly reporting on progress
Either way, every project is verified before it goes live.
What we do for developers
If you choose the full sales mandate, this is what comes with it.
Sales and marketing
We take responsibility for marketing and selling your units for an agreed term, with defined targets and reporting.
Buyer qualification
Every enquiry is screened for financing, identity, and intent before it reaches your sales gallery. No wasted viewings.
Marketing production
Professional photography, floor plans, project brochures, payment plan documents, and a development listing page on Isanzi.
Weekly reporting
Inquiries, viewings, offers, and market feedback delivered every week so you can adjust pricing or phasing in real time.
Developer dashboard
Your own account shows views, enquiries, and viewings for every unit. We also collect feedback after every viewing, visible on your property listing. This applies to all listings on Isanzi.
Management for retained units
If you choose to rent units rather than sell, we manage tenancy, rent collection, and maintenance on a bulk agreement.
Key considerations
These figures come from Rwandan law and the relevant authorities. They apply to off-plan and new-build developments.
Developer registration
Developers operating in Rwanda must be registered with the Rwanda Development Board. We confirm RDB registration before listing any development.
Source: Rwanda Development Board
Building permit
A building permit is required for most construction projects. Applications are processed through KUBAKA, the digital platform for building permit services.
Source: Ministry of Infrastructure, KUBAKA
Environmental Impact Assessment
Residential buildings that meet at least two of these thresholds require a full Environmental Impact Assessment: capacity to host more than 500 people, total floor area over 1,500 m², or plot size over 1,000 m².
Source: Law No. 48/2018 on Environment, Ministerial Order No. 001/2019, REMA
Zoning and the Kigali Master Plan
All developments in Kigali must comply with the Kigali Master Plan, including maximum floors, building coverage, and setbacks for the relevant zone.
Source: Kigali Master Plan and Zoning Regulations
Notarisation of sale contracts
Under Rwandan law, sale contracts for immovable property must be notarised by a qualified notary.
Source: Law Governing the Office of the Notary
Tax on sale of immovable property
The tax rate is 2% for sellers registered for income tax, and 2.5% for those not registered. A deduction of RWF 5,000,000 is applied before the tax is calculated.
Source: Rwanda Revenue Authority
VAT
The standard VAT rate in Rwanda is 18%. Whether VAT applies to a unit sale depends on the transaction and the developer's VAT registration status.
Source: Rwanda Revenue Authority
Property Reference Number
Under the framework being finalised by the National Land Authority and RWAREB, every listing will receive a Property Reference Number generated after a marketing agreement is signed. We are preparing for this system and will update listings once it is in force.
Source: National Land Authority, RWAREB
Areas we cover
We currently serve Kigali and surrounding areas. Our coverage includes the three districts of Kigali.
Our new developments coverage focuses on Kigali and is expanding across Rwanda as we grow.
If your development or search is outside our current coverage, contact us and we will confirm whether we can assist or refer you to a trusted partner.
Useful Links
- Residential Sales and LettingsBuying, selling, and renting residential property.
- Commercial PropertyOffice, retail, and warehouse space.
- Land and PlotsResidential and commercial land.
- Property ManagementFull management for landlords.
- Investment AdvisoryGuidance for investors.
- Market DataOur platform-derived figures.
- RRA Tax on Sale of Immovable PropertyOfficial guidance from the Rwanda Revenue Authority.
Buying off-plan, or selling a development?
Tell us what you are looking for, or tell us about your project. We will come back with a shortlist or a sales mandate proposal.