The Government of Rwanda has announced a new law governing medical services, which includes provisions for surrogacy and grants individuals aged 15 and above the right to access all health services without needing to be accompanied. This law was published in the Official Gazette on September 18, 2025, and contains 111 articles.
Article 23 states:
“Married couples or individuals confirmed by a medical professional as being unable to conceive naturally are eligible to use assisted reproductive technologies.”
In such procedures, a donor is required to provide sperm or eggs for those seeking to conceive. Article 25 outlines the requirements for someone donating sperm or eggs to help others conceive using assisted reproductive technology. Donors must: Provide a written and signed consent form (or fingerprint), Submit full personal identification, be at least 21 years old, undergo comprehensive medical and fertility screening to confirm they are fit to donate.
However, the law allows exceptions: individuals aged 18 to 20 may also donate if they submit a written request to the Minister, explaining valid reasons. Recipients of donated sperm or eggs must also: Provide signed consent, be at least 21 years old, undergo thorough medical and fertility evaluation to confirm they are unable to conceive naturally.
Surrogacy Conditions
A woman wishing to become a surrogate must: Be between 21 and 40 years old, have previously had a successful, complication-free pregnancy, pass medical evaluations confirming she is healthy and able to carry a pregnancy to term. Unlike some countries where the number of times a person can be a surrogate is limited, Rwanda’s approach leaves such regulation to a ministerial Order, which will define the maximum allowed surrogacy instances and required health assessments.
According to data from the ministry of Health, 5,925 people between 2020 and 2024 required assisted reproductive technology because they could not conceive naturally.
Medical Consent from Age 15
Under the new law, the only people who cannot make their own decisions regarding medical services are: Those under 15 years old, individuals with severe cognitive impairment, mental illness, or brain damage due to illness or trauma.
This marks a change from the previous law, which required a person to be 18 or older to make independent medical decisions. Those under 18 previously needed to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to access health services. Now, anyone 15 years and older can go to a health facility and access any medical service without being accompanied by a guardian.
Health authorities in Rwanda have explained that this law aims to reduce unintended teenage pregnancies by ensuring that young people receive sexual and reproductive health education and services early and independently.