President Paul Kagame has appointed Jean-Guy Afrika as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, marking a strategic leadership change at the helm of the agency that drives the country’s investment and economic development.
Afrika succeeds Francis Gatare, who transitioned to the Office of the President as Senior Advisor in December 2024.
Afrika brings a wealth of expertise in public policy, regional integration, and infrastructure finance, bolstered by his track record in project management. He previously served as Acting Director of the Regional Integration Coordination Office from December 2021, where he played a pivotal role in advancing regional and continental economic collaboration.
A graduate of George Mason University with a Master of Arts in International Commerce and Policy, Afrika’s academic pedigree includes executive training in trade, leadership, and negotiations from the Harvard Kennedy School, Oxford University, and the Graduate Institute of Geneva.
The transition comes as Rwanda sets ambitious economic growth targets and deepens its commitment to regional and international trade partnerships. Afrika’s diverse experience and academic credentials are anticipated to support RDB’s mandate in driving transformative development initiatives across sectors.
