Today, February 25, In a significant leadership transition at the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), President Paul Kagame has appointed Soraya Hakuziyaremye as the new Governor, replacing John Rwangombwa, who has held the position since 2013.
Hakuziyaremye, who has served as Deputy Governor since March 2021, brings extensive experience in finance, government, and international relations to her new role.
Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva has been named Deputy Governor, succeeding Hakuziyaremye. With a strong background in economic analysis, policy development, and financial regulation, he is expected to support the bank’s ongoing efforts in economic stability and financial sector growth.
Soraya Hakuziyaremye’s career spans high-level positions in both the public and private sectors, making her well-equipped to lead Rwanda’s central bank. Before becoming Deputy Governor, she served as Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry (2018-2021), where she played a key role in shaping trade policies and fostering industrial growth.
Her experience in international banking includes working as Senior Vice President & Credit Risk Manager at ING Bank UK (2016-2018), where she managed financial risks associated with global institutions and advised on major international finance deals. She also held senior positions at BNP Paribas Group, The Bank of New York Mellon, and played a strategic role as Senior Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation (2012-2014), where she coordinated Rwanda’s successful campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council.
Hakuziyaremye holds a Master’s in Business Engineering from Solvay Business School in Belgium, a Postgraduate degree in International Management from Thunderbird Graduate School (USA), and recently completed the Oxford University Executive Public Leaders Program (2024).
Beyond her professional career, she co-founded the Brussels-Africa Hub and serves as a Board Member at Ngali Holdings, further highlighting her commitment to economic development.
The newly appointed Deputy Governor, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, brings over two decades of expertise in economic policy, government regulation, and financial systems. Prior to his appointment, he was a Senior Economic Advisor at the UK’s Office of Rail and Road (2016-Present) and has previously worked as an Economist at the UK Department for Work and Pensions (2015-2016).
Nsengiyumva also has a history of leadership in Rwanda’s public sector, having served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (2005-2008) and later in the Ministry of Education (2008). He also worked in policy research and development at Refugee Action (2009-2013).
His academic credentials include a PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester, with research focusing on financial development, government ownership of banks, and foreign capital inflows. He also holds a Master’s in Economic Policy and Management from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
As the Governor and Deputy Governor assume their new roles, they are expected to drive Rwanda’s financial policies forward, ensuring economic stability, financial inclusion, reducing inflation and effective regulatory frameworks.