Domain extensions: which one to pick

Types of extension

• Country code (ccTLD): for a country, such as .rw for Rwanda. It is run by RICTA, the .rw registry, and you register through a registrar such as Hostnali.
• Second-level country extensions: .co.rw, .org.rw and others: a category under .rw.
• Generic (gTLD): .com, .net, .org and newer ones such as .africa, .online or .shop.

The Rwandan extensions

Extension	Commonly used by	Price a year
.rw	Short national brand names	RWF 26,600
.co.rw	Businesses and companies	RWF 16,800
.org.rw	NGOs, cooperatives, associations	See domain prices

If the registry asks for business details or documents for an extension, our team tells you what to send. See all domain prices.

.rw, .co.rw or .com?

	.rw	.co.rw	.com
Tells customers	Rwandan brand	Rwandan business	International
Length	Shortest	Longer	Short
Availability	Easier to find than .com	Easier to find than .com	Most short names taken
Price a year	RWF 26,600	RWF 16,800	RWF 24,920

Our advice: a business selling in Rwanda should use .rw or .co.rw as its main address, and register the .com of the same name to protect it. Read .rw vs .co.rw for more.

Does the extension affect Google?

A country extension tells Google your site is meant for Rwanda, which helps you appear in Rwandan searches. A .com can rank in Rwanda too, but needs other local signals such as a Rwandan address and local content. Either way, good content matters far more than the ending.

Global and African options

.africa is a pan-African extension for brands working across the continent, and .org suits non-profits with an international audience. Search any name on domain registration to see which extensions are free.