Rwanda Country Summary
Medium-Low Risk
View full Ratings TableSanctions
Lower Concern
FATF AML Deficient List
Lower Concern
Terrorism
Medium Concern
Corruption
Medium Concern
US State ML Assessment
Lower Concern
Criminal Markets (GI Index)
Medium Concern
EU Tax Blacklist
Lower Concern
Offshore Finance Center
Lower Concern
Please note that although the below Summary will give a general outline of the AML risks associated with the jurisdiction, if you are a Regulated entity then you may need to demonstrate that your Jurisdictional AML risk assessment has included a full assessment of the risk elements that have been identified as underpinning overall Country AML risk. To satisfy these requirements, we would recommend that you use our Subscription area.
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Anti Money Laundering
FATF Status
Rwanda is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies
Compliance with FATF Recommendations
The latest Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Rwanda was undertaken in 2024. According to the follow-up Evaluation, Rwanda was deemed Compliant for 5 and Largely Compliant for 14 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was assessed Highly effective for 0 and Substantially Effective 0 of the Effectiveness ratings.
Sanctions
There are currently no international sanctions in force against Rwanda.
Criminality
Rating |
0 (bad) - 100 (good) |
|---|---|
| Transparency International Corruption Index | 58 |
| World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank | 73 |
Rwanda is recognized as one of the least corrupt countries in Africa, with a strong governmental commitment to anti-corruption efforts, including the investigation and prosecution of high-ranking officials accused of corruption. Despite these measures, challenges persist at lower administrative levels, where some investors report widespread corruption, particularly involving customs, tax, and police officials.
The country faces various criminal activities, including human trafficking, illicit trade in counterfeit goods, and wildlife trafficking, although the overall crime landscape is relatively stable. While Rwanda's leadership prioritizes crime prevention and governance, issues such as political influence over the judiciary and restrictions on civil society organizations hinder accountability and transparency efforts.
Economy
Rwanda has made significant strides in enhancing its economy and investment climate over the past decade, focusing on private sector-led growth through comprehensive business reforms. The government has streamlined business registration processes, reduced bureaucratic hurdles, and established initiatives such as the Kigali International Financial Centre to attract foreign investment and position Rwanda as a regional economic hub. However, challenges persist, including a complex tax system, high operational costs due to its landlocked geography, and issues related to delayed payments and enforcement of contracts, which can hinder business continuity and expansion.
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