A study by Transparency International Rwanda (Rwanda Bribery Index 2025) showed that petty corruption in Rwanda has decreased to 14.6%, compared to 18.5% in previous years. The report, released on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, indicates that the reduction in corruption from 2022 to 2025 is significant and noticeable.
In the survey indicators, the private sector is where corruption is most prevalent at 8%, followed by local government institutions at 4.3%, REG at 3.7%, the judiciary at 3.5%, and WASAC at 2.8%.
Citizens most often give bribes in order to receive services quickly or to avoid problems with administrative institutions. In 2025, the services most associated with bribery include obtaining a construction permit (22.9%), a driver’s license (16.6%), a land title (13.6%), and speeding up access to electricity or water (6%–8%).
Regarding public perception, 66.23% said corruption had decreased in the past year, while 9.49% said it had increased. Additionally, 66.27% believe that efforts to reduce corruption will continue in 2026.
Regarding reporting corruption, 9.5% of citizens reported it, while 90.5% did not. Reasons for not reporting include not knowing where to report (8%), fear (10%), believing it is not their concern (24%), or having nothing to report (16%).
Among business owners, 4.29% were asked for bribes, but only 1.14% gave them. Another 10.7% gave bribes for business-related reasons only.
In the past five years, 77% of citizens agree that the government has implemented concrete measures to fight corruption, showing that government efforts are visible and effective in citizens’ daily lives.
