Rwanda’s responses to money laundering

Abstract

In 20 the years after the genocide that afflicted Rwanda, the country has made considerable progress towards developing human resources in the public sector. It has kick-started its economy and improved sectors such as public health and education. There is still a need to attract direct foreign investment to boost the economy even further. However, Rwanda needs to take precautionary measures to ensure that it does not fall prey to economic criminality which will impede its economic progress. The fact of the matter is that young transitional democracies are prone to attract economic delinquents who take advantage of loopholes in the law to advance their criminal goals. This is particularly so in a country such as Rwanda, where the government has to prioritise other pressing needs that must be addressed. This paper assesses the extent to which Rwanda is prepared to deal with the menace of money laundering, a threat that may well stunt its ambitions to build a strong economy.