The report identifies embezzlement, fraud, tax crimes, and cybercrime as the primary predicate offenses generating high amounts of illicit proceeds.
Embezzlement alone accounted for 39% of the total criminal proceeds, followed by fraud (24%), tax crimes (20%), and cybercrime (13%).
These crimes were found to be the main drivers behind money laundering cases in the country.
During the five-year assessment period, 44 money laundering cases were investigated, with 42 cases prosecuted and 9 resulting in convictions.
The total value of assets confiscated during these proceedings reached Frw 780,934,906.
While Rwanda's legal framework has significantly evolvedâ€"including the recent enactment of Law No. 001/2025 on the Prevention and Punishment of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financingâ€"the report highlights key enforcement gaps.
These include limited investigative resources, weaknesses in asset recovery processes, and inconsistent application of penalties.
Additionally, the report confirms that the overall national money laundering risk remains at a medium level, driven by both increasing threats and institutional vulnerabilities.
Efforts in detection, prosecution, supervision, and international cooperation, especially in real estate and banking sectors, have improved the country's response capacity.
Under the current law, anyone found guilty of money laundering faces 10 to 15 years in prison and a fine of three to five times the value of the laundered funds.
Aiding others to benefit from such funds or financing terrorism carries the same penalties.
IGIHE
