Rwanda
Is Hemp Legal in Rwanda?
Status
Restricted
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Industrial hemp cultivation in Rwanda is restricted to licensees under the Ministerial Order N degrees 001 of 22 June 2021 determining the conditions for the cultivation, production, processing, sale and export of cannabis for medicinal purposes. The Order was signed by the Minister of Justice and operationalised through the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
License classes cover cultivation, processing, and export. Applicants must demonstrate a foreign offtake agreement, a secure cultivation site with biometric access, and a registered Rwandan entity. Reported minimum capital thresholds exceeded USD 50 million in the Order's investor briefings — a deliberately high bar to attract serious export-grade operations. As of 2026 cultivation is concentrated in the Eastern Province around Bugesera and Kayonza. No domestic CBD or hemp retail is authorised.
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
Set per license; export-grade product only
Regulator
National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB); Rwanda Development Board (RDB); Ministry of Justice
Key regulation
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
Export of hemp and cannabis products from Rwanda is permitted only under a NAEB-issued license tied to a verified foreign buyer in a jurisdiction where the product is lawful. The Rwanda FDA issues GMP certifications. Imports of hemp seed for cultivation require RDB and NAEB approval; no consumer hemp imports are authorised.
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