The 15th edition of the Rwanda Bribery Index (RBI), published on December 11 by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda), highlights a significant milestone in the country’s anti-corruption journey.
Bribery encounters declined by 18.5%, dropping to 2.10% in 2024 from 2.60% in 2023. This progress reflects the effectiveness of enhanced enforcement and accountability measures, cementing Rwanda’s position as a leader in anti-corruption efforts within the region.
The survey, conducted across Rwanda’s four provinces and the City of Kigali, captured responses from 2,396 participants. It reveals that 59.20% of respondents now perceive corruption levels as low, up from 50.84% in 2023, with only 17.20% considering it high. Notably, the private sector and Rwanda National Police (RNP) registered the highest likelihood of bribery at 13% and 9.40%, respectively. However, the private sector has shown a marked improvement, reducing the bribery likelihood from 21.20% in 2022 to 13% in 2024.
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Despite these achievements, challenges persist. Bribery remains prevalent in services like illegal construction (39.10%), obtaining a driving license (36.60%), and construction permits (33.50%). Alarmingly, 92% of respondents who encountered bribery did not report it, citing fears of self-incrimination, lack of trust in the system, and limited knowledge of reporting channels. TI-Rwanda Executive Director Apollinaire Mupiganyi stressed the importance of empowering citizens, protecting whistleblowers, and fostering grassroots accountability to address this silence.
Marie Immaculée Ingabire, Chairperson of TI-Rwanda, applauded the government’s strides in curbing corruption as reflected in global indices, including Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). However, she emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to eradicate sector-specific corruption, especially in service delivery.
These findings reaffirm the progress made while calling for sustained commitment from all stakeholders to ensure a corruption-free Rwanda.
