Professional CCTV installation in Kigali gives you eyes on your gate, compound and shop floor, day and night, from your phone. Kigali Security arranges supply and installation of camera systems through vetted installers for houses, apartments, shops, offices, warehouses and construction sites. We start with a site survey, then send an itemised quote, so you know exactly which cameras go where and why.
Cameras do two jobs. Visible cameras deter many casual thieves, and recorded footage helps you understand what happened if there is an incident, whether that is a break-in, a dispute at the gate or a delivery that never arrived. A good system does both without filming more than it needs to.
What a CCTV system includes
A complete system has more parts than the cameras you see on the wall:
- Cameras: bullet cameras for long views such as driveways, dome cameras for porches and indoor areas, and turret cameras that resist glare at night.
- Recorder: a DVR for analogue HD cameras or an NVR for IP cameras. It stores footage on a hard drive and connects to your router for phone viewing.
- Hard drive: sized for the number of cameras and how many days of footage you want to keep.
- Cabling and power: coaxial or network cable, connectors, conduit and power supplies, or PoE (power over Ethernet) switches for IP cameras.
- Backup power: a UPS, inverter or solar backup system so recording continues during outages.
- Monitor and app: a screen at the guard post or reception if you want one, plus the phone app.
Wired, IP or wireless cameras
| Type | Best for | Points to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Analogue HD (wired) | Homes and small shops on a budget | Simple and reliable, separate power and video cables |
| IP cameras (wired, PoE) | Offices, larger compounds, sharper images | One network cable carries power and data, more features |
| WiFi cameras | Rooms or spots where cabling is hard | Depend on signal strength and still need power |
| 4G or solar cameras | Construction sites, plots without internet | Need a data bundle and good sun or battery capacity |
For most Kigali houses, wired cameras are the safer choice. Walls in many compounds are thick masonry, which weakens WiFi between the house and the gate. Cable can run in conduit along walls or underground across the compound.
Planning camera positions
The survey is where a system is won or lost. The installer looks at:
- Entry points: the gate, pedestrian door, main door, kitchen door and any wall section next to a tree, roof or neighbouring building.
- Faces versus overview: one camera set at head height near the gate captures faces clearly, while a higher camera gives a wide overview of the compound.
- Light: cameras facing the morning or evening sun, or a bright security light, produce washed-out images. Infrared night vision has a range limit, so long driveways may need extra lighting.
- Reach and tampering: cameras mounted too low can be covered or turned. Mounting height and cable protection matter.
- Privacy: cameras should cover your own property, not a neighbour's windows or a public area more than necessary.
CCTV and Rwanda's data protection law
Law No. 058/2021 on the protection of personal data and privacy came into force on 15 October 2021. It defines personal data as any information relating to an identified or identifiable person, and recorded video of faces falls naturally into that category. The supervisor is the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA).
For businesses this matters more than for households. Organisations that act as data controllers must register with NCSA, must tell people why their data is processed and for how long it is kept, and must store personal data in Rwanda unless NCSA authorises otherwise. Administrative fines under the law range from RWF 2 million to RWF 5 million or 1% of global turnover.
Practical steps for any CCTV owner:
- Put up a clear notice at the gate or entrance saying that CCTV is in use.
- Limit who can view and export footage, and change default passwords.
- Set a retention period and let old footage overwrite automatically.
- Avoid audio recording unless you have a clear reason.
- Businesses should check their NCSA registration status with a legal adviser.
Our installation process
- Survey: we walk the property with you, agree camera positions and note cable routes and power points.
- Quote: an itemised quote shows camera models, recorder, drive size, cable lengths, labour and backup options.
- Install: cameras are mounted, cables run in conduit or trunking, and the recorder is set up in a secure spot.
- Configure: motion zones, recording schedules, phone app access and passwords.
- Handover: a walk through of playback and exporting a clip, plus warranty details.
Electrical connections should be done by a person holding an electrical installation permit from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). Ask to see it.
Cost: what drives the price
There is no single price for CCTV. The main cost drivers are the number of cameras, resolution, analogue versus IP, recorder channels, hard drive size, total cable length, mounting height (ladders or scaffolding for upper floors), civil work such as trenching, and backup power. Brand also matters. Our CCTV camera price guide for Rwanda walks through each of these in detail. We do not publish fixed prices, because equipment costs move with supply and the exchange rate. Contact us for a current quote.
Combining CCTV with other systems
Cameras work best as one layer of protection. An electric fence slows down an intruder at the wall, an alarm system alerts you the moment a door is forced, and a gate video intercom lets you see who is outside before you open. Many installers can link these so that an alarm event triggers recording or a phone alert.
Areas we serve
Installers cover homes and businesses across Kigali, including Nyarutarama, Kacyiru, Kimihurura, Kibagabaga, Kimironko, Gisozi, Remera, Kicukiro, Kanombe, Rebero, Kiyovu and Nyamirambo, plus commercial sites around the city centre and the Kigali Special Economic Zone.
Book a CCTV survey
Fill in the form below with your name, phone or WhatsApp number, property type and location. Choose "CCTV cameras" under services and pick a preferred survey date. An installer will visit, agree camera positions with you and prepare a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many CCTV cameras does a house in Kigali need?
Most walled compounds need cameras covering the gate, the front door, the back door or kitchen entrance, and any blind side of the house. That is often four to eight cameras. The survey maps every entry point so you pay only for the views you actually need.
Can I watch my cameras on my phone?
Yes. Modern recorders connect to your router and to an app on your phone, so you can watch live video and play back recordings from anywhere with internet. The installer sets up the app at handover and shows you how to share access with family.
How long is footage stored?
It depends on the hard drive size, the number of cameras, resolution and whether recording is continuous or motion-only. A small home system typically keeps a few weeks. The installer can size the drive to the retention period you want.
What happens to CCTV during a power cut?
Without backup, cameras and the recorder switch off and record nothing. A small UPS keeps the system running for a short outage, while an inverter with batteries or a solar system covers longer cuts. We include backup options in the quote.
Is it legal to have CCTV at my house in Rwanda?
Yes, but Rwanda's Law No. 058/2021 on personal data and privacy treats information identifying a person as personal data. Point cameras at your own property, avoid neighbours' windows, put up a notice that recording takes place and keep footage secure.
Wired or wireless cameras: which is better?
Wired cameras, analogue HD or IP over network cable, are usually more reliable because they do not depend on WiFi signal and can take power over the same cable. Wireless cameras suit places where running cable is hard, but they still need a power supply.
How much does CCTV installation cost in Kigali?
It depends on the number and type of cameras, recorder and drive size, cable length, mounting height and backup power. We do not publish fixed prices because equipment costs change with supply and the exchange rate. Contact us for a current quote after the survey.