Corruption High in Rwanda’s Private Sector, Police and Other Institutions

A new report by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda) highlights troubling levels of corruption in Rwanda, with the Private Sector Federation (PSF), the Rwanda National Police, the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), and the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) leading the pack.

The 2024 Rwanda Bribery Index, launched on December 11, 2024, based on a survey of 2,400 people, reveals that 3.6% of respondents were asked for bribes. The Private Sector Federation (PSF) topped the list, with a 13% corruption rate. This is largely due to bribery in the construction sector, where workers are required to pay a portion of their wages to secure jobs.

Over the last three years, corruption in the private sector has decreased from 21.2% in 2022 to 15.6% in 2023, and now to 13% in 2024. Despite this progress, the issue remains significant, especially in construction.

The Rwanda National Police also shows a worrying 9.4% corruption rate, primarily linked to driving license exams. Bribery is also common in traffic schools, where students pay to ensure easier access to licenses. However, TI-Rwanda notes a slight reduction in police corruption, which it attributes to the installation of surveillance cameras and the dismissal of officers caught accepting bribes.

The energy sector also faces corruption. The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) reports a 7.8% bribery rate, and the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) follows closely with 7.2%. The bribery often involves the distribution of water meters, where people must pay before receiving service.

TI-Rwanda’s Chairperson, Ingabire Marie Immaculée, says bribery benefits both parties involved. "The person seeking a job or service feels they gain something, and the one accepting the bribe does too," she explains.

Despite these high levels of corruption, reporting remains low. Only 8% of people who encountered bribery were able to report it. Many fear retaliation or being labeled as troublemakers. "People avoid speaking up because they believe it will only make things worse," Ingabire adds.

TI-Rwanda’s Chairperson, Ingabire Marie Immaculée

The report also highlights corruption in other sectors, including the judiciary and healthcare. In local government offices, bribery is often seen in the issuance of construction permits, with 39.1% of respondents citing it. Police corruption related to driving licenses stands at 36.6%. In the judiciary, judges have been reported accepting bribes ranging from 500,000 to 600,000 RWF.

TI-Rwanda found that in 2024, Rwandans paid a total of 17,041,203 RWF in bribes, down from 22,814,500 RWF in 2023. Most bribes came from local government offices (56%), followed by the police (18%) and the judiciary (11%).

The report calls for stronger efforts to combat corruption, especially at the grassroots level. "While there is political will to fight corruption at the top, it diminishes lower down," says Ingabire.

Transparency International Rwanda urges both public and private sectors to be held accountable to ensure that bribery becomes a thing of the past.