The National Central Bureau (NCB Kigali) of INTERPOL, operating under the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), has recovered 41 stolen vehicles over the past three years, with 39 already returned to their rightful owners and two awaiting repatriation.
The recovered vehicles originated from Africa, the United States, Asia and Europe, highlighting Rwanda’s role in international efforts to combat cross-border vehicle theft and other forms of transnational crime.
Rwanda joined the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) on September 19, 1974, after applying for membership in 1973. Today, the organization brings together 196 member countries to strengthen international police cooperation and facilitate the exchange of criminal intelligence.
Following reforms in Rwanda’s justice sector, the country’s INTERPOL office—officially known as the National Central Bureau Kigali (NCB Kigali)—was transferred from the former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Rwanda National Police to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, NCB Kigali serves as Rwanda’s gateway to INTERPOL’s global policing network.
One of its core responsibilities is coordinating the exchange of information on criminal suspects who flee across borders. Through INTERPOL’s secure I-24/7 communication system, the bureau processes international requests, enabling law enforcement agencies to trace fugitives, facilitate arrests and support extradition proceedings.
The bureau also manages INTERPOL’s colour-coded notice system, which alerts member countries about wanted persons, missing individuals, unidentified bodies, security threats and criminal methods.
A Red Notice requests the location and provisional arrest of a suspect pending extradition, while a Yellow Notice helps locate missing persons or identify individuals unable to identify themselves. Other notices are used to gather intelligence, warn countries of potential security threats and share information on criminal trends.
Beyond criminal investigations, NCB Kigali plays an important role in recovering stolen motor vehicles. Using INTERPOL’s international vehicle database, the bureau identifies vehicles reported stolen abroad that are later found in Rwanda. Once recovered, the vehicles are returned to their lawful owners in coordination with the requesting country.
Rwanda can also request international assistance when vehicles stolen or fraudulently sold within the country are suspected to have been taken across the border.
The bureau also issues Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificates, which confirm that a vehicle is not listed as stolen or wanted in any INTERPOL member country. The certificate is particularly important for individuals and businesses importing or exporting used vehicles, helping prevent Rwanda from becoming a transit route or destination for stolen vehicles.
Applications are submitted through the Irembo online portal and are processed within 10 days.
Another key service offered by NCB Kigali is tracing lost or stolen travel documents, including passports. Once a document is reported missing, its details are entered into INTERPOL’s global databases and shared with member countries, allowing immigration and law enforcement authorities worldwide to detect and block its misuse.
This helps prevent crimes such as identity theft, human trafficking, terrorism and illegal migration.
While INTERPOL plays a central role in international police cooperation, it does not investigate crimes or arrest suspects. Instead, it facilitates intelligence sharing and operational coordination among member countries, while investigations, arrests and prosecutions remain the responsibility of national law enforcement authorities.
