How to Check if a Company is Legit
A step-by-step guide to verifying company legitimacy in Rwanda
Before doing business with any company in Rwanda, it's essential to verify their legitimacy. This guide will help you check if a company is legitimate, registered, and trustworthy.
Step-by-Step Verification Guide
Check RDB Registration
Every legitimate business in Rwanda must be registered with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Search for the company on Trusted Rw to see their RDB registration number, or check directly on the RDB website.
Look for: Valid registration number, active status, matching business name
Verify Regulatory Licenses
Depending on the industry, companies need specific licenses (RURA for telecom, NBR for banking, etc.). Check that licenses are current and valid for the services the company offers.
Look for: Industry-appropriate licenses, expiration dates, license numbers
Check Trust Score
Trust scores on Trusted Rw provide a quick indicator of company reliability. Scores above 70 indicate highly trusted companies. Review the trust score breakdown to understand what factors contribute to the score.
Look for: Score above 50, positive trend, verified status badge
Read Customer Reviews
Customer reviews provide real-world insights into company performance, service quality, and reliability. Look for patterns in reviews and how the company responds to feedback.
Look for: Recent reviews, overall sentiment, company responses, review authenticity
Verify Business Information
Check that the company's physical address, contact information, and business details match across all platforms. Inconsistencies may indicate a fraudulent operation.
Look for: Consistent information, verifiable address, legitimate contact methods
Red Flags to Watch For
- No RDB registration number or invalid registration
- Missing or expired regulatory licenses
- Very low trust score (below 30)
- Numerous unresolved complaints
- Inconsistent business information across platforms
- Pressure tactics or requests for upfront payments
- No physical address or unverifiable contact information