DRONES

In Rwanda, a permit is required to fly a drone for recreational or commercial purposes.

The Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority issues permits, which take an average of 2 to 4 weeks (RPAS Operation Permit) or two months to process (RPAS Operator Certificate).

Foreign citizens cannot register drones; however, a Rwandan citizen, permanent resident, or body/entity can register a drone on behalf of a foreign citizen.

The RCAA assigns an identification number to drones.

Basic rules:

• Drones should not be flying over People or huge crowds.

• When flying the drone, be considerate of others’ privacy.

• Drones should not be flown over airports or in places where planes are flying.

• It would help if you flew during daytime hours and only in favorable climates.

• Flying the drone in vulnerable places, such as government or military installations, is not recommended. Drones or video drones are not permitted in these regions.

Please visit the RCAA website for more updates or send an email to [email protected] with any questions.

You may be interested in learning more about Rwanda’s collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to promote the drone industry in Rwanda, building on the popularity of Zipline’s blood distribution technology, which originated in Silicon Valley. The World Economic Forum’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is in charge of the relationship.

As a Country of Rwanda that looks to the future, we will continue to build the infrastructure and policy structures that will enable new technologies to change people’s lives more quickly.