Visas

Nationals of the African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie member states can get a 30-day visa on arrival. No payment is required.

Nationals of all other countries can receive visas on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders. The following costs apply.

• A single entry tourist visa costs US$50 (exclusions apply for select countries) and is valid for 30 days.
• A single entry conference visa costs US$30 and is valid for 30 days.
• A multiple entry business visa costs US$50 and is valid for one year.
• The East African Tourist Visa (EATV) covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, costs US $100 and is valid for 90 days.

CHOGM 2022 delegates are responsible for ensuring they have the correct visa for travel. The Commonwealth Secretariat takes no responsibility for unsuccessful visa requests.

Kindly have your valid passport (not less than 6 months to expiry), confirmation of registration and accommodation booking ready on arrival. View the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration for more information.

Read the Government of Rwanda visa regime and find further information about visas here.

Accommodation

We urge delegates to book their accommodation for their time at CHOGM as soon as possible. A range of accommodation options are still available in and around Kigali centre which is a short drive away from Kigali Convention Centre.

Delegates are encouraged to book directly with accommodation providers or through third party booking websites. 

You can find a list of allocated hotels for CHOGM media here.

Transport

Airlines servicing Kigali International Airport are: RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

Rwanda has a well-surfaced road network linking the major towns, and the most convenient way to travel the country is by car. Smaller roads are frequently unsurfaced with varying conditions, especially during rainy season. Tour operators can arrange a vehicle with driver, or a number of agencies rent out cars and 4x4s. Taxis operate in Kigali and larger towns. Travel insurance may not cover motorbike taxis, which are also common.

There are no rail services and the most popular form of public transport is shared minibuses. In Kigali, buses operate a smart card system called Tap&Go.

Helicopter transfers within Rwanda are available through Akagera Aviation.

For more information about getting to the venue and accessibility please contact Kigali Convention Centre to discuss your requirements.

Internet connectivity

Rwanda has an excellent mobile phone network covering almost the entire country, and international calls can be made easily.

The country is among the top three African countries in terms of internet connectivity, with an ever-growing fibre optic network.

Vaccinations

The greatest health risks in Rwanda are accidents and malaria. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are recommended. Travellers should seek professional medical advice on taking anti-malarial medicines and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially between dawn and dusk.

Travellers should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations including COVID-19, following the advice of their local healthcare provider. A certificate of yellow-fever vaccination is required.

It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns – make sure the seal is intact.

Currency

The Rwandan franc (Rfr) is the principal currency, although US dollars are widely accepted.

Expect to pay for local services in cash, in Rwandan francs. The greater the amount, the more likely US dollars or other hard currencies are preferred, such as gorilla tracking and upmarket hotels.

A growing number of places accept credit and debit cards, with Visa being more widely accepted than Mastercard. It’s best to check when making a booking.

ATMs can be found in Kigali and nearly all major cities.

Cash can be exchanged at banks and private forex bureaux (bureau de change). Both are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s cheques away from the capital. Western Union facilities are common.

Tipping is discretionary and appreciated. Cash is usually preferred. As a rough guide, tip professional guides and drivers US $10 per day, trekking porters US $2.

Plastic ban

Rwanda strives to protect, safeguard and promote the environment. Please refrain from bringing plastic bags to Rwanda. Banned by law since 2008, any plastic bags in your luggage will be confiscated at the airport or other point of entry.

Provisional Agenda

We understand that planning your schedule is important. The agenda will be added to the website as soon as it becomes available.

For more travel information see VisitRwanda.com

The 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) takes place 19-25 June 2022, in Kigali, Rwanda.

Leaders from the Commonwealth’s 54 member countries will meet to reaffirm their common values, collaborate and agree actions and policies to improve the lives of all their citizens. Decisions taken at CHOGM also guide the work programme of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The official opening of CHOGM takes place on Friday 24 June and is followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June. Prior to this, there will be four forums covering youth, women, business and civil society, as well as ministerial meetings and several side events.

High-level sessions and ministerial meetings at CHOGM take place behind closed doors; however, there will be pool opportunities for media at the start of sessions.

Media Pools

Media pools at CHOGM are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Secretariat, managed through a central system supported by Secretariat staff and the Host Country taskforce.

Pool size will be determined by venue size and security factors. We will endeavour to make them as large as possible.

Representation: To ensure media from all member countries are given fair access, the pool system is designed to be as representative as possible of regions, countries, broadcasters and agencies. In practice this means that if space is limited, member states or even regions may only receive one pool space on particular pool.

Application process: A list of each pooled CHOGM event will be made available at the Media Centre reception desk from Sunday 19 June, when the Media Centre opens. Journalists are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Once pools are decided and closed, journalists will be notified if they are part of the pool, or not.

Transportation for pools: Media will be transported and escorted by staff to and from each pool session.

Sharing material: Media who participate in pools are required to hand over their footage to the pool manager immediately on their return to the Media Centre for download and onward sharing. This is a condition of being accepted onto a pool.

RBA footage: the host government has appointed the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) to film all open events. Their material will be made available to all journalists/outlets and there are no restrictions in terms of use by accredited CHOGM journalists. However, you must credit this material to RBA.

Opening Ceremony (24 June)

Media access to the official Opening Ceremony will be restricted to an accompanied media pool determined by regional representation. Space is very limited at the event venue.

Leaders’ Photograph

Following the Opening Ceremony, leaders will gather for an official group photograph which will be taken by the Official Photographer. In addition, there will be provision for a representative pool of photographers.  

Photographs/Filming

The host government will have an official photographer and videographer at all open events. Their photographs and footage will be made available to all journalists/outlets at the Media Centre as soon as possible. Each government delegation is either allowed one official photographer or videographer at all open events. In practice, a delegation cannot have both a photographer and videographer.

Stand up broadcast facilities

Media will be able to reserve stand-up broadcast slots at the Kigali Convention Centre. The spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make enquires to the Host Government team at:  [email protected]

Editing booths

If you require access to editing booths, please make enquires to the Host Government team at:  [email protected]

Transportation for media

Transportation to and from CHOGM venues will be provided to media staying at a designated Media Hotel (Amaris Hotel, Cozy Safari, Quiet Haven Hotel). If you are staying elsewhere, you will be responsible for getting to and from the venue each day.

For any other questions, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

What is CHOGM?

Leaders of the Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis.

Since 1971, a total of 25 meetings have been held, with the most recent being in the UK in 2018.

At the close of each CHOGM, the respective host Prime Minister or President becomes Commonwealth Chair-in-Office for the intervening two years.

Who is organising CHOGM?

The Government of Rwanda and Commonwealth Secretariat.

Where will it take place?

Kigali Conference Centre, Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), KN 3 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda. View a map here.

What are the Forums?

Four Forums will take place ahead of CHOGM to offer a wider opportunity for dialogue and debate and to ensure the voices of women, young people, civil society and business are heard by leaders meeting in Kigali. Learn more.

When and where will the Forums take place?

Commonwealth Youth Forum

• 19-21 June 2022
• Intare Conference Arena in Kigali, Rwanda

Commonwealth Women's Forum

• 20-21 June, 2022
• Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda

Commonwealth People's Forum

• 21-22 June, 2022
• M Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda

Commonwealth Business Forum

• 21-23 June, 2022
• Kigali Convention and Exhibition Village, Rwanda

There is more information about the four Forums on our CHOGM page. Please note that more information will be coming soon.

Learn more about CHOGM 2022

1. Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings are held every two years in different Commonwealth countries and are the organisation’s highest policy and decision-making forum.
2. The first CHOGM was held in Singapore in 1971. Before this, they were Commonwealth Prime Ministers Meetings, held mainly in London.
3. Since 1971, there have been 24 full CHOGMs plus the following mini summits: 1986 – London, on the issue of apartheid in South Africa, seven leaders attended; 2008 – London, on the reform of international institutions, 11 leaders attended; 2008 – New York, follow up Special Meeting on the reform of international institutions; and 2020 following the cancellation of CHOGM due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a COVID-19 Virtual Leaders’ Summit was held (not a CHOGM).
4. Traditionally, four forums are held before the main meeting of leaders: the Business Forum, organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council; the People’s Forum, organised by the Commonwealth Foundation; the Women’s Forum, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Youth Forum, organised in conjunction with the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
5. Several other meetings take place during the CHOGM week. These usually include a meeting of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, a meeting of Ministers from the Commonwealth’s Small States and a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). CMAG was created on 12 November 1995 as a mechanism to deal with serious or persistent violations of the principles set out in the 1991 Harare Commonwealth Declaration (the Harare Principles). Various other events also take place, including a Sports Breakfast, co-organised by the Commonwealth Games Federation.
6. At CHOGM, leaders issue declarations or statements related to the theme or other relevant topics. A CHOGM theme was first introduced in 1997. This year’s theme is: Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.
7. A formal CHOGM Opening Ceremony is held before the start of the main leaders’ meetings, or Executive Sessions.
8. The Executive Sessions take place in private and provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss global and Commonwealth issues. Decisions taken at CHOGM also guide the work programme of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
9. A Leaders’ Retreat follows the Executive Sessions and takes place away from the main conference area. It is an informal opportunity for leaders to meet alone, without aides. The CHOGM Retreat was introduced in 1973.
10. Decisions taken at CHOGM are by consensus.
11. Leaders issue a communiqué at a press conference at the close of CHOGM detailing decisions made by leaders. The press conference is chaired by the Head of Government hosting the meeting, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
12. The host government chairperson then becomes Chair in Office, a role first introduced in 1999.  The incumbent is Rt Hon Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom.
13. Her Majesty The Queen is Head of the Commonwealth, and has been present at 22 CHOGMs. She first addressed CHOGM directly in 1997.
14. The 2022 CHOGM in Kigali, Rwanda will be the sixth time the event has taken place in Africa. It follows the CHOGMs held in Lusaka, Zambia in 1979; Harare, Zimbabwe in 1991; Durban, South Africa in 1999; Abuja, Nigeria in 2003; and Kampala, Uganda in 2007.
15. Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009 having been admitted at the the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago that year.

Explore facts about the Commonwealth