Kigali, Rwanda
Best places to shop in Kigali
4 markets, malls and shopping districts in Kigali — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.
Last updated 2026-08-11
1. Kimironko Market
Photo: Talley Beth Gale · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
The city's largest market — produce, kitenge cloth, baskets, and tailors who will make a garment from cloth bought two aisles away.
Where: MarketMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 07:00–19:00Cost: BudgetTip: Buy kitenge cloth in the fabric section and take it straight to the tailors at the back — a shirt or dress takes a few hours and costs very little.
2. Rwandan peace baskets and craft cooperatives
Photo: Omar Photographer · Pexels License · source
The tightly woven agaseke baskets that are Rwanda's national symbol, made by women's cooperatives including Gahaya Links.
Where: LuxuryMap: Open in Maps Best time: Monday to Saturday 09:00–18:00Cost: Mid-rangeTip: A fine agaseke takes days to weave from sisal and sweetgrass. The cooperatives pay the weavers directly and the quality is visibly better than market copies.
3. Caplaki Craft Village
Photo: Ana Kenk · Pexels License · source
The permanent craft village — carvings, baskets, textiles, art and jewellery in a row of small shops.
Where: MarketMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 08:00–18:00Cost: Budget–Mid
4. Kigali Heights and Rwandan coffee
Photo: Faustin NKURUNZIZA · Pexels License · source
The modern mall district, and the specialist roasters selling Rwandan single-origin coffee — one of Africa's finest and least known.
Where: MallMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 09:00–21:00Cost: Mid-rangeTip: Note that plastic bags are banned in Rwanda and confiscated at the airport. Bring a cloth bag for shopping.
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