Photo: Jenny Paul, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Maternity leave benefits (RSSB) in Rwanda
Maternity leave benefits in Rwanda
14 weeks on full salary, RSSB refund
Short answerChecked 31 October 2026
In Rwanda the employer keeps paying the employee's full salary during the 14-week maternity leave, then may claim back the last eight weeks from RSSB under the Maternity Leave Benefits scheme. An extra fully paid month may be granted for delivery-related complications. Requests are filed on RSSB's Ishema platform and paid within 30 days of receipt.
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"The employer continues paying the employee's salary during the 14-week maternity leave period and may subsequently apply to RSSB for reimbursement of the final eight weeks" (RSSB).
Amount refunded: the salary of the month before the month in which the leave ends, divided by 30 days, multiplied by the reimbursable days (RSSB).
How the employer claims
- Submit the maternity leave application on Ishema with the employee's details and expected leave period.
- Attach the payslip, the child's birth certificate, the leave form signed by employer and employee, a medical certificate if needed, and any document the delivery category requires.
- Keep paying contributions during the leave: the employee must be covered by the scheme during the leave period.
- Track the request on Ishema; RSSB sends e-mail and SMS notices. Payment within 30 days of receipt.
Steps from RSSB, Maternity Leave Benefits scheme.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is maternity leave in Rwanda?
14 weeks on full salary, with an additional fully paid month possible for delivery-related complications (RSSB).
Does RSSB pay maternity leave?
The employer pays the full salary, then claims back the final eight weeks from RSSB, which pays within 30 days of receiving the request.