Kigali - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Before COVID, embassy dress was business attire. - Jan 2022
Depending on position, most people wear business casual to work. In public, casual wear is most common. - Jul 2020
Casual. - Sep 2019
The embassy requires business dress, and business casual on Friday. In general, Rwandans in professional settings are well-dressed. Women shouldn't wear short shorts or spaghetti straps. - Jun 2018
Business attire, not overly formal. Casual Fridays. - Dec 2017
Rwandans dress well. You'll see business or business casual. Formal dress is only needed on rare occasions. - Jan 2017
Work is business casual to business -- public is more casual but conservative. You don't see a lot of women in shorts but rathar, longer skirts or pants. - Apr 2016
Work is business casual, although some do wear suits. Locals are pretty stylish. Shorts are generally not accepted, although you see Kigali becoming more and more westernized. It seems to be worse to show your knees than it is to show your shoulders or cleavage. Still, err on the side of slightly conservative. - Oct 2014
Slightly dressier than the U.S. Wouldn't recommend shorts or short skirts in public unless you like getting a lots of attention. - Jul 2014
Business casual at work. Before I arrived I was told this was a conservative society, but I have not seen it. A woman has no problem wearing anything she wants. But be prepared for the stares just as you would receive them stateside. - Sep 2013
Business to business casual at work, casual in public. Rwandans are receptive to a wide range of clothing. - May 2012
Business casual. - Apr 2012
For the embassy it is business casual. - Jul 2011
Polo slacks, ties/slacks - Oct 2010
Smart casual, professional Rwandans dress quiet well. Slacks and button down shirts. If you are a woman in public be sure to cover up your thighs. The men here will go gaga for them. - Jan 2010
Casual to formal. In general Rwandan dress up in there nicest clothes for work, I was always under dressed compared to them, though if I had meeting I would dress up out of respect. - Sep 2008
Casual to formal, depending on if you are visiting upper governmental officials. - Aug 2008
