TI-Rwanda Report Flags Persistent Gender-Based Corruption in Education and Health

Kigali, January 29, 2026 - A new report by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda) has revealed that despite Rwanda’s progress in improving service delivery, corruption, particularly gender-based corruption, remains prevalent in the education and health sectors. The findings were presented at a consultative meeting bringing together TI-Rwanda and key stakeholders to jointly assess the state of corruption in service provision. Education Sector The report highlights that one of the major challenges in education is the widespread demand for gender-based bribes, especially in higher education institutions and universities. Some teachers reportedly abuse their authority by soliciting sexual favors from female students in exchange for good grades, academic promotion, or access to internships. Survey results from 1,350 respondents show that: 8% were asked to bribe to secure a school place, 5% were asked to bribe to obtain good grades, 5% were asked to bribe to win a school food supply contract, 5% were asked to bribe to change their major. The report further notes that both sexual and financial bribery continue to undermine the education system, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, including 7.8% of girls, 8.6% from poor families, 9.2% of persons with disabilities, 46.1% with mental disabilities, and 10.2% facing other challenges. Health Sector In the health sector, a separate survey of 1,400 residents found persistent risks of corruption in the delivery of health services, including the payment of bribes to receive care more quickly. Gender-based corruption was particularly reported in maternal and reproductive health services, where some women said they were asked to provide sexual favors in exchange for services they are legally entitled to receive. Overall, 26% of respondents reported encountering bribery in health facilities. Corruption rates were estimated at 5% in primary health care facilities, 4.4% in district health facilities, and 3.6% in central hospitals. Official Reaction TI-Rwanda’s Director of Programs and Research, Albert Rwego Kavatiri, said many victims are unaware they are being bribed or are afraid to report such acts, noting that bribery is punishable under the law. “The numbers are low, but even though they are low, we don’t want them to disappear completely, we want the few people who still exist to be tracked and punished,” he said.