Officials from the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) have said that this year they will mainly concentrate on strengthening the information network with the aim of curbing illicit trade and tax evasion..

The Director of the Revenue Protection Department, Seth Muhirwa, told The New Times that late last year, RRA deployed speed boats on Lake Kivu to monitor both tax evaders and illicit trade along the routes.

"We realised that the means we were applying were not bringing tangible results. These people are very wise,” Muhirwa said, adding that RRA has streamlined working plans on the need to first establish information network in order to seize the big fish.

He also revealed that RRA has brought experts onboard who have been equipping its staff with necessary skills to investigate and prosecute apprehended criminals.

Members of the Industrialists chamber at the Rwanda Private Sector Federation, in November last year asked the judiciary to clamp down on the sale of illicit goods in order to spearhead economic growth. 

The call was made during a meeting that brought together the judiciary, Police, Public Prosecutor’s office and the Private Sector Federation.

According to the report compiled by the Kenyan Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) and the Economic Policy and Research Centre (EPRC) three years ago, smuggling costs governments in East Africa more than US$25 million annually.

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