Prime minister appointment | dr justin nsengiyumva named in rwanda
President Paul Kagame has announced a new prime minister appointment in Rwanda. On July 23, 2025, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva was officially named as the new Prime Minister. He replaces Dr. Édouard Ngirente, who held the position since 2017.
From central bank to prime minister
Before this appointment, Dr. Nsengiyumva was the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). He was appointed to that role in February 2025, just a few months before his new promotion.
Over the years, he has held important roles, including:
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Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education until 2008
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Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry before that
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Economic Advisor in the UK Government, especially in the Office of Rail and Road
He also worked as a researcher at Refugee Action from 2009 to 2013.
Education background of dr. nsengiyumva
Dr. Nsengiyumva has strong academic experience. He holds:
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A PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester (UK)
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A Master’s degree in Economic Policy and Management from the University of Nairobi
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A Bachelor’s degree in Business from Catholic University of Eastern Africa
You can read more about his background via BNR’s website.
What happens when a prime minister steps down?
According to Rwanda’s Constitution, when a Prime Minister leaves office or resigns, the whole government is considered resigned. However, the outgoing government continues doing day-to-day duties until a new government is fully formed.
Once a new Prime Minister is appointed, all cabinet members must take a new oath and restart their official duties.
List of prime ministers in rwanda since 1994
Here’s a quick look at Rwanda’s Prime Ministers over the years:
| Name | Term Duration |
|---|---|
| Faustin Twagiramungu | July 19, 1994 – Aug 31, 1995 |
| Pierre-Célestin Rwigema | Aug 31, 1995 – Mar 8, 2000 |
| Bernard Makuza | Mar 8, 2000 – Oct 7, 2011 |
| Pierre-Damien Habumuremyi | Oct 7, 2011 – July 23, 2014 |
| Anastase Murekezi | July 23, 2014 – Aug 30, 2017 |
| Dr. Édouard Ngirente | Aug 30, 2017 – July 23, 2025 |
| Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva | From July 23, 2025 |
You can also visit the official Prime Minister’s Office site for more updates.
