Rwanda enacts new law governing engineering profession

Kigali, November 2025 - The Government of Rwanda has enacted Law No. 023/2025 of 01/09/2025 governing the engineering profession, repealing Law No. 26/2012. This new legislation provides a strengthened legal and institutional framework for regulating and promoting professional engineering practice in Rwanda.

The law reinforces the importance of professionalism, accountability, and integrity in the engineering sector. All engineering professionals are required to be registered and licensed by the Institute of Engineers Rwanda (IER).

It is prohibited for any individual or organisation, public or private, to employ or engage unregistered persons in engineering duties. Likewise, no individual or firm may identify themselves as an Engineer, Technologist, Technician, or Consulting Firm without valid registration, a unique identification number, and an active practicing license issued by IER.

Steven Sabiti, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Institute of Engineers Rwanda (IER), said the enactment of the new law marks a turning point in the professionalisation of the engineering sector.

“This law reinforces the responsibility we all share in safeguarding the integrity and safety of engineering practice in Rwanda...we urge members of the public to always engage only registered and licensed engineering professionals when undertaking construction or infrastructure projects.

“Using qualified professionals guarantees quality, safety, and accountability of practitioners.”

He added: “We also call upon all practitioners to comply with the provisions of this new law by ensuring they are duly registered and licensed. This will help maintain high professional standards and protect the reputation of the engineering profession in Rwanda.”

The public and private sectors, as well as all stakeholders, are urged to verify professionals through the official IER registry, available at www.engineersrwanda.rw