18% VAT liabilities on non-resident B2C providers of streaming media, gaming and software
Rwanda’s Revenue Authority is considering a proposal to levy Value Added Tax on the providers of digital or electronic services to consumers. This would particularly target non-resident steaming and download media, app’s and software.
The current VAT rate in Rwanda is 18%.
The introduction of VAT would recognise that the consumption tax is due in the jurisdiction of the customer – the destination principle. Many other African countries have already imposed VAT on foreign providers, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. You can follow VAT Calc’s global VAT and GST on digital services tracker to see which other countries have introduced indirect taxes on electronic services to consumers.
Rwanda is being assisted by the OECD and African Tax Administration Forum is performing an impact assessment, and potential design.
What digital services could become liable to VAT?
Common B2C electronic or digital services that could be included are:
- Software and the updating of software
- Gaming including games of chance
- Images, text and information
- Access to databases
- Self-education packages
- Streaming or download music and films
- Websites, web hosting or remote maintenance of programs and equipment
- Political, cultural, artistic, sporting, scientific and other broadcasts and events, including broadcast television
Africa & Middle East VAT on digital services
| Comments (click for details) | Rate | Date | Threshold | Comments |
| Algeria | 9% | Jan 2020 | Nil | |
| Angola | 14% | Oct 2019 | – | |
| Bahrain | 10% | Jan 2019 | Nil | |
| Benin | 18% | Oct 2023 | TBC | |
| Cameroon | 19.5% | Jan 2020 | XAF 50 million | |
| Egypt | 14% | Sep 2016 | EGP 500,000 | |
| Ghana | 12.5% | Apr 2022 | GHS 200,000 | |
| Israel | 17% | TBC | – | Proposals withdrawn |
| Ivory Coast | 18% | 2022 | - | |
| Kenya | 16% | Sep 2013 | - | Registration threshold removed 2023 |
| Kuwait | 5% | Jan 2024? | - | TBC |
| Mauritius | 15% | 2020 | ||
| Nigeria | 7.5% | Jan 2020 | $25,000 | |
| Oman | 5% | Apr 2021 | OMR 35,000 | |
| Rwanda | 18% | TBC | ||
| Saudi Arabia | 15% | Jan 2018 | Nil | |
| Senegal | 18% | Jan 2023 | Nil | Fiscal representative required |
| Sierra Leone | 15% | SLE 100,000 | ||
| South Africa | 15% | Jun 2014 | ZAR 1 million | |
| Tanzania | 18% | Jul 2022 | Nil | Residents since Jul 2015 |
| Tunisia | 19% | Jan 2020 | Nil | Withholding VAT; 3% Royalty Tax |
| Uganda | 18% | Jan 2020 | UGX 150m | |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% | Jan 2018 | AED 375,000 | |
| Zimbabwe | 14.5% | Jan 2020 | Nil | |
| Zambia | 16% | 2024? |
