Rwandan President Paul Kagame appointed Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva as the new Prime Minister, succeeding Dr. Édouard Ngirente, who had held the position since 2017. The announcement was made by the Office of the President, marking a significant shift in the country’s executive leadership.
Dr. Nsengiyumva, an economist with a PhD from the University of Leicester, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, a position he assumed in February 2025. His career also includes serving as Permanent Secretary in both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where he played pivotal roles in policy formulation and institutional reform. Additionally, Dr. Nsengiyumva has international experience, having worked as a Senior Economic Advisor in the UK’s Office of Rail and Road and as an economist with the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions.
Following his appointment, Dr. Nsengiyumva expressed his gratitude to President Kagame for the trust placed in him. He pledged to serve the country with humility and dedication, emphasizing his commitment to advancing Rwanda’s national priorities with integrity and purpose.
The appointment of Dr. Nsengiyumva comes at a time when Rwanda is implementing its second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), a five-year development program launched in 2024. The NST2 outlines ambitious goals in economic development, including increasing GDP per capita from $1,040 in 2023 to $1,369 by 2029, creating 1.25 million productive and decent jobs, and doubling private investment from $2.2 billion to $4.6 billion.
Dr. Nsengiyumva’s appointment has also attracted attention from political opposition groups. The Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an opposition party in exile, announced the suspension of Dr. Nsengiyumva from its membership, citing his acceptance of the Prime Ministerial appointment as a “betrayal” of their vision and purpose.
As Prime Minister, Dr. Nsengiyumva is expected to coordinate government operations and ensure the effective implementation of national policies across ministries. His extensive experience in governance, education, and community work is seen as a strong foundation for addressing the country’s evolving challenges and ambitions.
This leadership change follows President Kagame’s re-election in 2024, where he secured a landslide victory with over 99 percent of the vote, extending his nearly 25-year tenure in power.
Dr. Nsengiyumva’s appointment is viewed as an effort to inject fresh energy into Rwanda’s executive team, particularly in areas related to economic planning, institutional reform, and investment strategy. His technocratic expertise aligns with President Kagame’s long-term vision for economic transformation, infrastructure development, and strengthening Rwanda’s position as a regional hub.
The new Prime Minister is expected to work closely with President Kagame and the Cabinet to accelerate key national priorities, ensuring that Rwanda continues its path of development and prosperity.
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