Drone Laws in Rwanda

Flying drones in Rwanda

In this post, you will learn about the laws which apply to drone pilots in Rwanda.

All drones that are brought to Rwanda must be registered using form RCAA-Form-UAS001. Only citizens and permanent residents of Rwanda who are 21 years or older can register. The registration fee is 110,000 RWF (about 125 Euro). According to reports, the processing of the registration takes about three months.

So if you plan to fly with your copter in Rwanda, you will need a local contact who will register the drone for you.

Additionally, flying your drone requires a permit from the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA). In order to apply, you need to fill out form RCAA-Form-RPAS002 and allow two to four weeks processing time.

All other terms are very transparently explained on the website of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA).

Overview: Drone rules in R

Recreational use of drones allowed? Yes, after registration or approval
Commercial use of drones permitted? Yes, after registration or approval
Maximum Altitude:100 Meter (328,1 Fuß) in uncontrolled airspace.
Is drone insurance mandatory? Yes, for private and commercial drone flights. Learn more about drone insurance here.
Does the drone need a badge?Yes.
Drone labels can be ordered here
Is a registration necessary? Yes.
Keep distance to airports
Respect the privacy of other people
Contact informationRCAA: [email protected] or [email protected]

Further rules for flying a drone in Rwanda

The maximum allowed altitude is 100 meters (328 feet) above ground. The maximum distance between pilot and drone is 300 meters, as long as direct visual contact is ensured.

Drones in Rwanda can weigh up to 25 kilograms. A permit from the RCAA for copter flights can only be obtained in Rwanda if your drone is insured.

Drone flights at night are not allowed. Drones must not fly faster than 100 kilometers per hour (87 knots). They must be marked with the registration number assigned to you by the Aviation Authority. The label has to be fireproof, e.g., via a permanent marker, a sticker or engraving.

In the airports in Rwanda, signs state clearly that multicopters must be registered. That’s why you have to expect baggage checks at customs. If your drone is not registered, it may be confiscated until you complete the registration process.

Safety distances and prohibited areas

Without airspace clearance, flights within a radius of 10 kilometers (6 miles) around an airport are not allowed.

It is not permitted to fly closer than 50 meters to persons, buildings, vehicles, ships, and animals unless they are directly involved in the flight. For flights over uninvolved persons, you need a special permit from the RCAA.

We have researched the listed drone regulations for Rwanda to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Rwanda!

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About the author

Since January 2015, we travel around the world. In our backpack we carry a camera drone which we use to capture the best places from a bird’s perspective. First we travelled with a DJI Phantom 2. But now we use several drones like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ or the DJI Mini 3 Pro. On our blog we share the best tips for you about travelling with a drone. If you have questions about this article or new information, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment!

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