Flag of Rwanda
countryThe flag of Rwanda was adopted on October 25, 2001 to a design by Alphonse Kirimobenecyo. Three horizontal bands with a golden sun. It uses 3 colours: blue, yellow and green. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Rwanda |
|---|---|
| Country | Rwanda |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Rwanda |
| Capital | Kigali |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | RW / RWA |
| Internet Domain | .rw |
| Calling Code | +250 |
| Currency | Rwandan franc (RWF) |
| National Language(s) | English, French, Kinyarwanda |
| Demonym | Rwandan |
| Area | 26,338 km² |
| Population | 14 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Rwanda |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 25, 2001 |
| First Used | 2001 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 25, 2001 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Blue, Yellow, Green |
| Designer | Alphonse Kirimobenecyo |
| Design Type | Three horizontal bands with a golden sun |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Rwanda |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #20603D | 32, 96, 61 | 67, 0, 36, 62 | |
| Yellow | #FAD201 | 250, 210, 1 | 0, 16, 100, 2 | |
| Green | #00A1DE | 0, 161, 222 | 100, 27, 0, 13 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents happiness and peace |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents economic development |
| Green colour | Represents hope of prosperity |
| Golden sun | Enlightenment and unity — the flag was redesigned in 2001 to break with the symbolism of the previous flag |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | The design was first used |
| 2001-10-25 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Rwanda Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Rwanda
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 25 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 25, 2001 |
| Oldest Version | 2001 |
| Designer | Alphonse Kirimobenecyo |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Eswatini |
| Unique Feature | Three horizontal bands with a golden sun |
Other horizontal bands with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Rwanda
- The flag was completely replaced in 2001 to break with the symbolism of the 1994 genocide. The national anthem and coat of arms were changed at the same time.
- The previous flag was a red, yellow and green tricolour with a large letter R; the new one deliberately avoids red altogether.
- The gold sun in the upper fly represents enlightenment, and the blue band, which is wider than the other two combined, stands for peace.
- The flag of Rwanda was officially adopted on October 25, 2001. It was designed by Alphonse Kirimobenecyo.
- The flag in its present form is 25 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Three horizontal bands with a golden sun.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: blue, yellow and green.
- The blue on the flag stands for happiness and peace.
- The yellow on the flag stands for economic development.
- The green on the flag stands for hope of prosperity.
- Golden sun: Enlightenment and unity — the flag was redesigned in 2001 to break with the symbolism of the previous flag.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bands with a central emblem" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Eswatini.
- Rwanda became independent on 1 July 1962 from Belgium.
- Football is the most popular sport and road cycling the fastest growing.
- The national animal is the mountain gorilla.
- The national anthem is "Rwanda Nziza".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Rwanda
When was the flag of Rwanda adopted?
The flag of Rwanda was officially adopted on October 25, 2001.
What do the colours of the flag of Rwanda mean?
Blue for happiness and peace, yellow for economic development and green for hope of prosperity.
When did Rwanda gain independence?
Rwanda became independent on 1 July 1962 from Belgium.
What is the national sport of Rwanda?
Football is the most popular sport and road cycling the fastest growing.
What do the symbols on the flag of Rwanda represent?
Golden sun — Enlightenment and unity — the flag was redesigned in 2001 to break with the symbolism of the previous flag.
Who designed the flag of Rwanda?
The flag was designed by Alphonse Kirimobenecyo.
What are the proportions of the flag of Rwanda?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Rwanda?
The national anthem is "Rwanda Nziza".
When is the national day of Rwanda?
It falls on 1 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Rwanda?
The national animal is the mountain gorilla.