The Newly appointed Prime Minister, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva on Friday pledged to serve with integrity and commitment, saying the confidence placed in him by President Paul Kagame “will not be in vain.”
Nsengiyumva made the remarks during his swearing-in ceremony held July 25 in Kigali. He succeeds Dr. Edouard Ngirente, who has held the post since 2017.
“I want to assure you that the trust His Excellency the President has placed in me will bear fruit,” he said. “I will go above and beyond to fulfill my duties so that the country benefits in tangible ways.”
The new prime minister also promised to work transparently, prioritize citizens’ needs and collaborate with all institutions to ensure national goals are met without leaving anyone behind.
“I am fully aware of the weight of these responsibilities and their impact on improving the lives of our people,” he said.
Nsengiyumva expressed gratitude to his predecessors, saying their dedication laid the foundation for the progress Rwanda has achieved.
He becomes Rwanda’s head of government at a time when economic reforms, inclusive development, and youth empowerment remain national priorities.
Before his appointment, Nsengiyumva served as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, where he played a key role in implementing stable monetary policies and strengthening the country’s financial sector.
He previously worked as an economic expert with the United Kingdom’s Department for Work and Pensions, contributing to policy reforms aimed at improving social welfare systems.
Nsengiyumva has also held senior roles in Rwanda’s government. He served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), where he led trade negotiations within the World Trade Organization and regional blocs such as COMESA, EAC, ICGLR and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
In the Ministry of Education, he oversaw policy innovation and helped implement government’s decision to shift the language of instruction in schools from French to English.
Nsengiyumva holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, a Master’s degree in Economic Policy and Management from the University of Nairobi, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
President Kagame appointed Nsengiyumva to the post on July 23. The change in leadership comes as Rwanda continues its efforts to boost inclusive development, attract investment and maintain macroeconomic stability.
