On Monday, January 13, 2025, President Paul Kagame appointed Jean Guy Afrika as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Afrika succeeds Gatare Francis, who had served in the role since November 2023.
Jean Guy Afrika brings a wealth of experience to the position, having worked with the African Development Bank (AfDB), a leading financial institution headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The AfDB is dedicated to reducing poverty and improving living standards across the continent.
Before joining AfDB, he worked as Senior Policy Expert at the East African Community, and Director of Export Promotion at the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency.
Jean Guy Afrika’s appointment marks a promising chapter for Rwanda’s development trajectory. His expertise and vision are expected to drive RDB’s mission of accelerating Rwanda’s economic transformation and global competitiveness.
Francis Gatare, who is stepping down as CEO, has been appointed Presidential Special Advisor as of December 20, 2024. During his tenure, Gatare worked hard to attract investment and support Rwanda’s economic growth.
RDB was established by Law No. 46/2013 with a mission to drive economic development, support the private sector, and assist the government in implementing policies that promote investment—both local and foreign. RDB also plays a key role in promoting exports, boosting tourism, and supporting the protection of national parks and key tourist sites.
