The headline
More than 55,000 applications for land surveying were pending at the start of 2026, the National Land Authority (NLA) said on 6 January. At least 100 private land surveyors are being deployed to work alongside public surveyors, and the NLA promised to clear the backlog within the first two months of the year.
"For those who applied for land surveying services, we apologise for the delays," said Marie-Grace Nishimwe, the NLA's Director General.
Why the queue grew
A 2013 law barred subdividing agricultural land smaller than one hectare. The 2021 land law dropped that minimum, and applications to subdivide surged. Most districts have only one or two public staff handling them. In 2025 the NLA processed 864,425 files across land transfers, registration and surveying.
What changes
- A new Cadastral Surveying Procedure Manual sets one standard process and promotes modern equipment such as GNSS receivers and total stations.
- Rwanda runs 10 continuously operating reference stations for precise positioning. Between 15 and 18 are needed to cover the whole country.
- Applicants can follow their file on amakuru.lands.rw.
What it means for buyers and sellers
A plot cannot be sold in parts until it is surveyed and each part has its own UPI. If you are buying a piece of a larger plot, ask whether the subdivision is registered before you pay. Once a parcel has its UPI, you can check what it is worth with a free land valuation.