The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has revealed that 297 Rwandans were trafficked to different parts of the world between 2019 and 2025, with 197 of them successfully repatriated from 14 countries.
According to RIB, 90 percent of the victims were young people, while 79 percent were women and girls, underscoring the disproportionate impact of human trafficking on youth and females.
The figures were disclosed on February 16 during an anti–cross-border crime awareness campaign held in Burera District, with a particular focus on combating human trafficking.
Jean Claude Ntirenganya, an official in charge of crime prevention at RIB, described human trafficking as one of the most alarming crimes and a serious violation of human rights.
“Human trafficking is currently one of the most concerning crimes. It is among the gravest violations of human rights,” he said.
RIB reiterated that the majority of victims recorded between 2019 and 2025 were young people, highlighting the vulnerability of youth to traffickers who often lure them with false promises of employment and better opportunities abroad.
Residents of Burera District, which borders neighboring countries, were urged to remain vigilant, particularly by identifying who lives in their communities, where they come from and where they are headed, as part of efforts to curb cross-border trafficking networks.
