Effective August 9, 2021, the price of the Covid-19 rapid test will drop by 50 per cent, with clients paying only Rwf, 5,000. 

The directive was issued by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). 

Since its introduction in December last year, the rapid antigen test costs a minimum of Rwf10,000 in public and private health facilities. 

According to an RBC statement issued on Sunday, August 1, 2021, health facilities are expected to comply. 

"Effective 9 August 2021, the price of a rapid diagnostic test for Covid-19 in private clinics shall not exceed Rwf5,000," RBC said in a statement posted on its Twitter.

The list of private clinics accredited to offer Covid-19 tests will be also be announced in due course.

The public had complained that the cost of  Rwf 10,000 was too high and prohibitive.  And, with the new price, more people would get tested boosting the fight against the virus. 

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020, Rwanda has tested over 2,075,000 people.