RDB Addresses Backlog Crisis, Vows Return to Full Service by July 24

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has publicly acknowledged recent delays in mortgage and business registration services, attributing the disruption to an unexpected surge in demand.

In a formal announcement released over the weekend, the institution promised to clear the backlog by July 22 and restore full operational efficiency by July 24.

The statement pointed to a sharp and sustained increase in business and collateral registration requests—far beyond routine volumes—that overwhelmed existing staff and systems.

Efforts to reinforce personnel and upgrade digital infrastructure, while already underway, took longer than anticipated.

“Both the systems upgrade and staffing reinforcements are now practically complete,” the announcement said. “Our teams are working diligently to clear the current backlog… Normal service is expected to resume fully by 24 July 2025.”

RDB also extended an apology to affected clients, acknowledging the inconvenience caused and expressing appreciation for their continued patience and trust.

Speaking candidly on the matter, RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika admitted the institution had fallen short of its usual standards.

“There has been a lapse in service delivery,” he said in a statement posted online. “Business registrations are averaging 600 per day, and collateral filings have spiked. Staffing and systems did not keep pace. But recruitment and system upgrades are now complete. Our team is working around the clock to resolve the issue.”

Afrika, a respected technocrat with a track record at the African Development Bank managing large and complex portfolios, has been credited with bringing both precision and openness to the role.

His direct acknowledgment of the problem—and clear timeline for fixing it—stood out in a region where such transparency is often rare.

The delays had triggered mounting concern across sectors. Construction firms, real estate developers, and financial institutions raised alarm over stalled transactions, delayed paperwork, and prolonged silence from the Office of the Registrar General.

What once took 48 hours had, in some cases, dragged on for weeks.

Public frustration spilled onto social media, with one user noting: “What used to take just two days now takes over ten! Mortgage registration at RDB is no longer the efficient process we once admired.”

Despite the criticism, the public response was driven more by high expectations than cynicism. For years, RDB has stood as a pillar of Rwanda’s reputation for efficiency, digital governance, and private-sector responsiveness.

The disruption, though notable, is seen as an exception in an otherwise strong institutional record.

Now, the spotlight shifts to implementation.

If RDB can deliver on its recovery plan, it will reaffirm not only its own standards—but the broader culture of performance that has underpinned Rwanda’s public service reforms over the last two decades.