Rwanda has maintained high standards of transparency and accountability among public officials, with 99.9% of government employees submitting their asset declarations for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
However, five officials are now under investigation for irregularities, including suspected forgery and money laundering, highlighting the country’s continued vigilance in enforcing its anti-corruption laws.
Rwanda requires all public officials to declare their assets annually, as mandated by the 2021 asset declaration law. The law applies to a wide spectrum of government personnel, including top leaders such as the President, Prime Minister, ministers, and heads of key institutions, as well as members of the military, police, judges, prosecutors, and local administrative leaders.
Public officials must disclose the type, value, source, and location of their assets both domestically and abroad. Spouses and minor children’s assets must also be included if applicable.
According to Chief Ombudsman Madeleine Nirere, during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, 19,697 of 19,707 officials (99.95%), submitted their asset declarations, a slight increase from last year’s 99.94 per cent compliance rate.
However, eight individuals could not fully explain the sources of their wealth, and five cases were identified as potentially involving forgery and money laundering. These have been forwarded to the RIB for further investigation.
“Those who fail to declare assets face work-related penalties. First-time offenders receive a one month suspension without pay, with penalties escalating for repeated violations. Beyond repeated non-compliance, extended investigations can uncover serious misconduct, including corruption and money laundering,” said Nirere.
The Ombudsman’s office also confirmed that all eleven registered political parties submitted their declarations and were cleared of any illicit financial links. In total, public workers declared 6,338 assets during the year.
Rwanda’s system is designed not only to monitor compliance but also to identify suspicious wealth. The Ombudsman has the authority to access bank records and other financial information when discrepancies arise, whether the person is legally obligated to declare assets, connected to a declarant, or suspected of criminal activity.
Alerts can come from banks, whistleblowers, internal audits, or observed inconsistencies between income and lifestyle.
The law also allows flexibility for officials who encounter delays, such as those on official missions abroad. These individuals can request additional time to submit or correct their declarations. But failure to provide accurate information or an adequate explanation for wealth can trigger formal investigations by Rwanda’s criminal authorities.
Rwanda’s rigorous asset declaration framework is part of a broader effort to strengthen governance, fight corruption, and ensure public trust. By holding officials accountable, the country aims to foster transparency and prevent misuse of public resources.
