Languages of Rwanda

Kinyarwanda is the national language of Rwanda, and the first language of almost the entire population of the country. It, French, English, and Swahili are the official languages of Rwanda. Rwandan Sign Language is used by the educated deaf population.

Map of Rwanda

Since the 1994 genocide, the complications of relations with successive French governments, the return of numerous Tutsi refugees who went to Uganda (anglophone), and also the intervention of the United States, English has been used by more of the population and administration.

In 2008 the government changed the medium of education from French to English.

Swahili is used by some people, in commerce, and as a subject in schools.