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Rwandan President Paul Kagame has appointed Justin Nsengiyumva, the former deputy governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, as the country’s new Prime Minister, replacing Edouard Ngirente, who had held the post since 2017.
The appointment, announced on July 24 via a government statement, entrusts Nsengiyumva with oversight of the government’s day-to-day operations. A seasoned economist, he holds a PhD from the University of Leicester and previously served as Permanent Secretary in Rwanda’s ministries of education and trade. He also worked for the UK government as a senior economist in the Office of Rail and Road.
Nsengiyumva’s appointment has drawn attention due to his past conviction for corruption in 2008 while serving in the education ministry. He was pardoned in March 2023 by President Kagame as part of a broader clemency initiative involving over 380 individuals.
No official reason was provided for Ngirente’s departure, though he expressed gratitude for his tenure, calling it “deeply enriching” in a farewell message. The leadership change comes shortly after Kagame’s re-election in 2024 with 99.18% of the vote, extending his presidency beyond two decades.
The new prime minister is expected to play a central role in shaping Rwanda’s next cabinet and advancing national priorities under Kagame’s long-standing administration.
