Rwanda
Is CBD Legal in Rwanda?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
CBD is illegal for general retail in Rwanda. Law N degrees 68/2018 treats cannabis derivatives without carving out cannabidiol, and the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has not authorised any over-the-counter CBD product for the domestic market. The 2021 Ministerial Order on medicinal cannabis contemplates pharmaceutical cannabinoids but channels them to export only.
There is no legal THC threshold below which CBD is exempt. Pharmacies in Kigali do not stock CBD oils, balms, or gummies. Travelers carrying CBD products risk seizure and prosecution under the narcotics provisions of the 2018 Penal Code, even when the products are lawful in the country of origin. Bulk CBD isolates moving through Kigali under the 2021 Order require a Rwanda FDA permit and a verified foreign buyer.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Key facts ·
Rwanda
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
No exemption; all CBD treated as cannabis
Regulator
Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority; Ministry of Health
Key regulation
Law N degrees 68/2018; Ministerial Order N degrees 001 of 22/06/2021 on cannabis for medicinal purposes
Effective
June 22, 2021
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Legal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Personal import of CBD is not permitted. Rwanda FDA must authorise any cannabinoid pharmaceutical, and Rwanda Revenue Authority Customs reject CBD consumer goods at port of entry. Industrial export of CBD isolates is restricted to licensees under the 2021 Ministerial Order.
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