Rwanda and Nigeria are strengthening cooperation in forensic science through a five-year partnership aimed at improving the collection, analysis, and transportation of forensic evidence used in criminal investigations and judicial proceedings across Africa.
The Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) has signed a cooperation agreement with Nigeria-based laboratory services company Labscroll Medicals to expand access to professional forensic science services across African countries.
The five-year agreement, which is renewable, was signed on November 10, 2026, at RFI headquarters in Kacyiru, Kigali.
Labscroll Medicals is a laboratory services company operating in Kicukiro, Rwanda, Francistown, Botswana, and Abuja, Nigeria, where its headquarters are located.
Speaking to journalists after the signing ceremony, RFI Director General Lt Col (Rtd) Dr Charles Karangwa said the agreement formalizes an existing working relationship between the two institutions, which had already been collaborating without a formal contract.
“We had been receiving evidence collected by the company from different countries and conducting the necessary forensic examinations here in Rwanda. However, as the volume of cases continued to increase, we realized the need to establish a more structured partnership through a formal agreement. Rwanda is ready for this cooperation,” he said.
Partnership to Reduce Costs and Improve Access to Forensic Services
Dr Karangwa explained that the partnership is expected to reduce the logistical costs associated with transporting forensic evidence from other countries to Rwanda for examination and subsequently returning it.
Under the agreement, the two institutions plan to establish additional branches across Africa where forensic evidence will be collected before being transported to Rwanda for laboratory analysis.
He said the arrangement would also enable partner institutions to access examination results remotely through RFI’s digital system, eliminating the need for repeated trips to Rwanda.
“Together, we will establish branches where forensic evidence can be collected. The evidence will then be transported to Rwanda through RwandAir for examination. The results will be made available through our system, allowing them to access, print and submit reports from their respective locations without having to travel here,” he explained.
He added that, in the past, some institutions had even brought large groups of people to Rwanda for forensic examinations, making the process costly and time-consuming.
Supporting Rwanda’s National Development Strategy
Dr Karangwa said the agreement is also aligned with Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which seeks to accelerate the country’s development through strategic partnerships and the expansion of specialised services.
He noted that Rwanda intends to share its expertise with other African countries while also benefiting from services and knowledge in areas where its partners have greater experience.
“This initiative is part of NST2. We want to provide services to our fellow Africans in areas where we have expertise, while also benefiting from what they do better than us. I am pleased that this partnership has been established, and we want to implement it soon so that we can bring our services closer to other African countries and strengthen their justice systems,” he said.
Labscroll Medicals Highlights Rwanda’s Role in Advancing Justice in Africa
Labscroll Medicals Managing Director Paul Ogbole Peter said the company chose to formalize its partnership with RFI because of Rwanda’s progress in developing institutions that support justice delivery across the continent.
He pointed to President Paul Kagame’s vision of positioning Africa as a centre of justice and described Rwanda as an example that other African countries could learn from.
“RFI is one of the leading institutions in Africa in the field of forensic science. President Paul Kagame’s vision has not only transformed Rwanda but has also influenced other African countries through the work of RFI. His vision has demonstrated how impartial justice can be delivered to Africans. By learning from Rwanda, Africa can also develop similar systems,” Peter said.
Nigerian Ambassador Welcomes the Partnership
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Amb. Ibrahim G. Zanna, welcomed the agreement, describing it as an important example of how private-sector institutions can contribute to the development of specialized services across Africa.
“I am pleased to have been invited to witness this occasion. This partnership demonstrates the role that private-sector institutions can play in advancing specialised technological services in the justice sector across Africa, including forensic science, capacity building and other related areas,” he said.
Training, Research and Regional Expansion
Beyond laboratory examinations, the agreement provides for Rwanda to offer additional services, including specialized training, research activities and participation in international conferences related to forensic science.
RFI staff will also be deployed to other African countries to support local institutions and strengthen their technical capacity.
A total of 15 African countries are initially covered under the agreement. The partnership will be periodically reviewed, with the possibility of expanding its coverage to an additional 10 countries, bringing the total to 25, depending on the progress and results achieved.
According to RFI, during the 2025/2026 financial year, the institute received 443 foreign nationals seeking forensic examination services.
The new partnership is expected to build on this growing demand by expanding Rwanda’s role as a provider of specialized forensic science services and supporting efforts to strengthen justice systems across the African continent.
