Buying from abroad: power of attorney rules after October 2025
From 16 October 2025, the National Land Authority suspended powers of attorney issued inside Rwanda for land transfers, pending an electronic notary system. Sources · as of 11 Nov 2026R5 Land authority suspends use of power of attorney in land transfersAllAfrica · checked 11 Nov 2026R6 Why land power of attorney transactions were suspendedThe New Times · checked 11 Nov 2026R7 Rwanda and the Apostille ConventionMINAFFET · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources
Powers of attorney made abroad still work if they meet legal requirements and are legalised through a Rwandan embassy using the Irembo service; an apostille alone isn't accepted for property.
Notaries: who can certify your transfer
Land transfers are certified by sector land notaries or by private notaries authorised by the Minister of Justice. Rwanda had 182 private land notaries in June 2026, with 122 more applicants provisionally cleared. Sources · as of 11 Nov 2026R13 Over 100 private notaries cleared for land transfer servicesThe New Times · checked 11 Nov 2026R14 Justice ministry warns of unaccredited private notariesThe New Times · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources
Check a private notary's accreditation on the Ministry of Justice list and ask for their service card.
Questions
Can I still use a power of attorney from abroad?
Who can notarise my land or house transfer?
Sources
Checked 11 Nov 2026.
- R5 Land authority suspends use of power of attorney in land transfers · AllAfrica · checked 11 Nov 2026
- R6 Why land power of attorney transactions were suspended · The New Times · checked 11 Nov 2026
- R7 Rwanda and the Apostille Convention · MINAFFET · checked 11 Nov 2026
- R13 Over 100 private notaries cleared for land transfer services · The New Times · checked 11 Nov 2026
- R14 Justice ministry warns of unaccredited private notaries · The New Times · checked 11 Nov 2026