A new national study on corruption in Rwanda has shed light on why some citizens still resort to paying bribes, despite the country’s strong anti-corruption reputation and consistent global rankings as one of Africa’s least corrupt nations.
The 2025 Rwanda Bribery Index (RBI), conducted among 2,360 respondents across the country, reveals complex motivations behind bribery from frustration with slow services to fear of conflict with officials.
The research sample included 53.56% men and 46.44% women, drawn from multiple provinces and sectors to offer a representative snapshot of public experience with corruption.
While the overall prevalence of bribery remains comparatively low in Rwanda, the report shows that the reasons people give bribes still warrant attention.
Key Findings: Why People Pay Bribes
The study highlights several factors driving bribery:
42% of respondents said they offered bribes to speed up services they were entitled to.
This suggests that delays, bureaucracy, or long queues remain a significant frustration for many.
20% said they paid bribes because it was the only way they believed they could access a service.
This reflects lingering perceptions that certain services may be inaccessible without informal payments.
19% admitted they paid bribes to receive a service they were not eligible for, indicating that some individuals knowingly attempt to bypass rules for personal gain.
A smaller fraction of respondents cited other motivations:
7% paid bribes to avoid conflict or confrontation with service providers or local officials.
6% said they bribed to avoid paying the full, official cost of a service.
Another 6% pointed to a range of other circumstances that pushed them toward bribery.
A Broader Context: Rwanda’s Anti-Corruption Efforts
Rwanda has long positioned itself as one of the continent’s leaders in transparency and good governance.
Robust laws, strengthened oversight institutions, and a culture of accountability have helped the country maintain low levels of corruption compared to regional peers.
However, the 2025 RBI findings highlight a more nuanced reality: while systemic corruption is rare, isolated practices—especially at lower-level service points—still affect citizens’ experiences.
Experts note that the study’s insights are vital for improving public service delivery.
The high percentage of people paying to “speed up services” suggests operational challenges rather than entrenched corruption networks.
Streamlining administrative procedures, improving staff capacity, and strengthening complaint mechanisms may help reduce the conditions that allow bribery to occur.
What the Findings Mean Going Forward
The 2025 data underscores that fighting corruption is not only about punishing wrongdoing but also about addressing the underlying frustrations that push people toward informal shortcuts.
As Rwanda continues its governance reforms, the Rwanda Bribery Index serves as an important tool for identifying pressure points in service delivery.
For citizens, the findings serve as a reminder that bribery regardless of justification undermines fairness and public trust. For institutions, the report offers a roadmap to further improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
By bringing these issues to light with detailed data, the 2025 RBI adds depth to Rwanda’s ongoing conversation about integrity in public life and the continued efforts needed to preserve the progress made.
By Andrew shyaka
