Kagame names a central banker as the new prime minister of Rwanda

President Paul Kagame has appointed the deputy governor of the central bank, who was previously pardoned for a corruption conviction, to the position in charge of running the government on a daily basis, replacing Rwanda’s long-serving prime minister.

The government spokesperson’s office stated late Wednesday on X that Justin Nsengiyumva, a former prime minister at the education ministry with a PhD in economics from the University of Leicester, had been appointed.

The reason for the dismissal of incumbent Edouard Ngirente was not stated in the post. The prime minister since 2017, Ngirente, expressed gratitude to Kagame on X, writing: “This journey has been deeply enriching.”

Earlier this year, Nsengiyumva was named deputy governor of the National Bank of Rwanda by Kagame. According to his official biography, Nsengiyumva has held positions with the British government, including that of senior economist at the Office of Rail and Road.

Before working in the UK, Nsengiyumva was the permanent secretary of Rwanda’s ministry of education. While in that capacity in 2008, the state-owned New Times newspaper reported that he was detained on charges of corruption and subsequently found guilty.

According to the New Times, in March 2023, Kagame pardoned him along with 380 other people in unconnected situations.

A request for reaction from the Rwandan government was not immediately answered.

When Rwanda had its most recent elections in 2024, Kagame was re-elected with 99.18% of the vote, prolonging his tenure of almost 25 years in office.