This archive report was first published on 29 September 2019.
On a typical day in Rwanda, a traffic officer stops a driver for allegedly violating traffic rules. However, instead of issuing a fine, the officer demands a bribe to let the driver go. This is a common occurrence in many African countries, where bribery is a major obstacle to development.
Three female students in Rwanda, Monica Kirabo, Angela Izi Nkusi, and Odile Abimana, were inspired to create an anti-corruption app after hearing a story about a colleague's father who was stopped by a traffic officer and asked to pay a bribe to avoid a fine.
According to CGTN, the three students, all science and technology majors, developed the ACAP – Anti Corruption App, which allows people to lodge complaints and bribery cases, and relevant authorities to review them later.
With the app, users can report corruption cases via mobile, and the authorities can take action to prevent bribery. The app is similar to one launched in Kenya, the Action for Transparency App (A4T App), which also allows people to report corruption cases.
It is estimated that approximately 75 million people pay bribes annually in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. The ACAP app aims to reduce this number and promote transparency and accountability in government institutions.
Published on September 29, 2019, the ACAP app is a testament to the innovative spirit of young people in Rwanda and their commitment to fighting corruption.
