Rwanda: 58% of Mining and Construction Inspections Fail to Address Worker Risks, IPAR Study Reveals

KIGALI, Rwanda - A new study by the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) has revealed that 58% of inspections in Rwanda’s mining and construction sectors fail to adequately address worker safety risks, including the potential for child labor. The findings were presented in Kigali on November 4, 2025, based on data collected between 2019 and 2024.

The research, which covered all regions of the country, involved 400 workers, employers, labor inspectors, government officials, and non-governmental organizations. It sought to evaluate how effectively workplace inspections protect workers in high-risk sectors.

According to the study, most inspections - 58% - focus primarily on wages and employee benefits such as social security and insurance. In contrast, only 7% of inspections examine occupational safety, while a mere 4% address the use of child labor.

The report also found that over 90% of workers are unaware of their rights under Rwanda’s labor laws, and many work without formal contracts due to fear of job loss. Moreover, 95% of safety-related inspections occur after an accident, rather than as preventive measures.

Despite these shortcomings, the study noted that 63% of inspections result in tangible improvements in compliance, while 33% have moderate impact and 4% are ineffective. It also reported that 95.8% of workplace accidents were investigated to address their causes, and 83.3% of these inquiries led to meaningful preventive actions.

The research identified logistical challenges as a major barrier, noting that many inspectors lack equipment to reach remote or mountainous mining areas, which make up around 60% of Rwanda’s terrain.

IPAR’s report recommends strengthening government institutions responsible for labor oversight - including the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), and the Ministry of Public Service and Labor. It also urges authorities to simplify labor laws in Kinyarwanda, enhance technology adoption, and improve the quality and frequency of inspections to ensure safer and fairer working conditions.