Law Governing Land (Law nº 27/2021).

The Law emphasizes land as a common heritage, ensuring equal rights to rural and urban lands for all Rwandans. It grants the right to freehold to citizens, while foreigners can access land mainly for investment through emphyteutic leases. The law also covers land allocated between Rwanda and other countries. It outlines various modalities for land tenure, including state land concessions, leases, and certification of land rights. State lands are classified into public and private domains, with specific provisions for their protection, management, and transfer. Additionally, swamp lands receive special tenure considerations, and state lands are subject to identification, registration, and compliance requirements for leases and concessions.
The law governing land use in Rwanda grants individuals the right to fully enjoy their land, including ownership of property on it, while natural resources remain under state control. Landholders have obligations to protect, conserve, and use land productively, pay taxes, and not obstruct underground or airspace activities. Prescriptive rights can apply, but fraudulent acquisition is prohibited. Land use planning is guided by a master plan that outlines principles for development, compliance, and monitoring. Any changes in land use must align with these plans to ensure sustainable and organized land management across the country.
The Law further provides for institutions in charge of land management and use, administrative measures, sanctions and offences. The text contains 90 Articles divided into 8 Chapters.