MONEY IN RWANDA

Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (RFr), which is sometimes also abbreviated to ‘Frw’. It’s best to come to Rwanda with US dollars or euros in cash. The only useful bank branch in the country is Banque de Kigali in the capital, which offers cash advances on credit card and can change travellers cheques, neither of which is possible in the provinces. There are ATMs in Kigali, but most are not yet wired to an international network. Credit cards can be used in some upmarket hotels and restaurants in Kigali.

Bureaux de change – which are mostly in Kigali– offer slightly better exchange rates than banks. Moneychangers hang around central Kigali and usually give a slightly better rate, but count your money carefully. All banks, and most bureaux de change, are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

Make sure you have US dollars with you, if you plan to cross the borders, because they don't accept any other currency. This is the case in all African countries, it is really frustrating to find dollar bills sometimes. There are numerous Forex bureaux (exchange offices) in Kigali with better rates than banks. If you need to withdraw cash from banks you can use your Visa card with the ATMs of several central banks. You can also have a money advance with your Master card in the Bank of Kigali.