Explorer

Flag of Rwanda

Africa
14.1M
2001
Flag of Rwanda
RW | 2:3

Official Palette

Symbolism

Blue represents happiness and peace, yellow represents economic development and mineral wealth, and green represents hope of prosperity and the nation's natural resources. The sun signifies enlightenment.

History

Adopted on December 31, 2001. The flag was completely redesigned to distance the country from the genocide of 1994, abandoning the previous Pan-African colors which were associated with the former regime.

Construction

A 2:3 ratio. A horizontal tricolor with a thick blue band (top half) and equal yellow and green bands (bottom half). A 24-rayed yellow sun is in the upper fly corner.

Color Meanings

blue: Happiness and peace
yellow: Economic development and mineral wealth
green: Hope of prosperity and natural resources

Country Facts

Population
14.1M

0.9% of Africa

Capital
Kigali
Languages
English, French, Kinyarwanda
Continent
Africa
Subregion
Central Africa
Landlocked
Yes
Borders
Flag of Burundi BurundiFlag of Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the CongoFlag of Tanzania TanzaniaFlag of Uganda Uganda
ISO 3166-1
RW

Flag Identification

Adopted
December 31, 2001
Designer
Alphonse Kirimobenecyo
Proportions

2:3 (≈1.500)

23
Total Colors
4
Primary Layout
Horizontal bands
Key Symbols
Emblem

Influences

Post-genocide national reconciliation and new beginnings

Related flags

Flag Protocol

  • The yellow sun must be in the upper fly corner
  • The blue band must be double the width of the other bands

Practice

Think you know the flags of Africa? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.

Start Africa Quiz