So, you’ve landed in Kigali, and your social life is about as active as a sloth on a lazy Sunday and you are asking your self how to how to Meet People in Kigali: Fear not! Rwanda’s isn’t called the “Singapore of Africa” just for its cleanliness – it’s also a buzzing hub of people waiting to be your next best friend. Whether you’re an expat who can’t tell umugati from umuceri, or a digital nomad whose only friend is your laptop, hopefully this guide is your first step in your transformation from a lonely lotus to a social butterfly.
Join Kigali’s Community Groups
Let’s face it: sitting alone in your hotel room or apartment scrolling on your phone isn’t going to win you any friends (unless you count the gecko on your wall – we’ve all been there). Here’s where the real action happens:
- Impact Hub Kigali: Where entrepreneurs gather to discuss their world-changing ideas.
- Norrsken House: A tech hub for entrepreneurs. It’s a coworking space with multiple events for both companies and other people. It’s a place to tap into if you’re a new professional in Kigali.
These are just two of the communities, if you want to find more, check our article on communities and social groups in Kigali.
Coffee and Restaurants
It’s more than caffeine and food. Kigali’s café scene is where the magic happens. And by magic, we mean both fantastic coffee and the occasional awkward attempt at small talk; here are some of the coffee shops you should visit.
- Question Coffee Café: Famous for coffee training sessions and tastings and has multiple branches in easily accessible locations such as Gishushu and Kiyovu.
- Inzora Rooftop Café: Located inside Ikirezi Bookshop, this cafe is popular for the great view, great coffee and cocktails. Peak hours are sunsets and weekend mornings.
- Lemon Lounge: A rooftop lounge that serves great food, cocktails and vibes. It’s popular for round the week events and discounts. A poker fan, our insider says you might find yourself some friends there.
- Casa Keza: A place with a reputation for an international crowd. Serves tapas and wines on discounts. It’s a place for you if you love garden aesthetics.
- Pili Pili: This is a vibrant restaurant with a pool and a space for children. It’s popular for group gatherings, great food and frequent social events.
Cultural and Artistic Events
Culture vultures and artsy souls, your time has come. Kigali has become a place for large concerts especially at KCEV (Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village), BK Arena, L’Espace, Institut Francais, and Goethe-Institut among others.
If you would like to meet people regularly, you might want to keep an eye on these venues’ social media accounts or websites where they publish their upcoming events.
Sports and Fitness
This one is for those who want to sweat their way into friendships. Warning: These activities may result in actual physical improvement (and friendships):
- Kigali Run Club: Fairly new, but going strong, every Sunday morning, various people meet, to run (and of course make friends)
- Kigali Golf Club: A place to meet golf enthusiasts, and of course (the bourgeois of Kigali and beyond). This is where business deals are made, and golf balls are lost.
- Soho Fitness: A gym that promotes a sense of community. Grab a membership and get fit with your new friends.
Pro Tips for Success
- Learn basic Kinyarwanda greetings – your attempts will be appreciated (and sometimes laughed at, but in a nice way). If someone is staring at you, there is nothing on your face. We are just natural observers.
- Embrace the concept of “African time” – but still show up punctually because just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
- If you’re not already in Kigali, keep an eye on international conferences, one or more could be happening here!
- It’s 2024, use your phone please. Get basic apps such as Vuba Vuba for food, Move or Yego for Transport, and of course Google Maps. Moreover, make sure to join groups on Facebook such as Living in Kigali, Expats in Kigali, but take all the engagement with a grain of salt.
- Remember that Kigali is actually a small town masquerading as a big city – everyone knows everyone, so be nice! Also plan your day well, after all we only have until 2 am!
- Hold on, did you know that we post weekend plots on our Instagram every Friday afternoon? If you’re not following, you might want to head there ASAP.
Conclusion
I’ve been here all my life, and the real key to making friends in Kigali is just to show up. Seriously. Keep showing up to events, keep saying yes to invitations, and keep putting yourself out there. Before you know it, you’ll have so many WhatsApp groups that your phone storage will beg for mercy.
Have you found a great place to meet people? You can tell us in the comments!
