This archive report was first published on 18 September 2021.
Published on September 18, 2021, a study by Transparency International Rwanda exposed the alarming rate of corruption in Rwanda's public procurement system. The study found that 63.3 percent of respondents perceived corruption in the system, with 79 percent of government tender bidders admitting to encountering corruption requests.
Shockingly, 18 percent of the bidders agreed to pay bribes, with the going rate ranging from Rwf10 million ($10,000) to Rwf120 million ($120,000) depending on the value of the contract. The study, which surveyed 473 bidders from across Rwanda, revealed that ministries are the biggest receivers of bribes.
According to Enock Byiringiro, a researcher at Transparency International Rwanda, corruption in procuring infrastructure is a 'win-win situation' where 'nobody reports nor complains.' The study highlighted inefficiencies in the procurement process, including changing contracts after signing, shortlisting fictitious firms, and inaccessible bidding documents, which increase the risk of paying bribes.
President Paul Kagame had previously called out corruption in public tenders, particularly in infrastructure projects, stating that such officers tarnish the country's image. The latest Auditor-General's report also pointed out multiple infrastructure projects that were either cancelled or overpriced due to procurement faults.
