Rwandan President Paul Kagame has replaced Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente in a broader leadership reshuffle, signalling a notable shift in the country’s executive structure.
- Rwandan President Paul Kagame has replaced Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente with Justin Nsengiyumva, a former banker.
- Nsengiyumva has expressed his commitment to advancing Rwanda’s national priorities under Kagame’s vision.
- The reshuffle indicates a strategy by Kagame to align the leadership with Rwanda’s development agenda.
Ngirente, who had served as prime minister since 2017, was relieved of his duties on Wednesday, according to a statement from the government spokesperson’s office.
He is succeeded by Justin Nsengiyumva, a former banker with a background in public administration and economic policy.
“I fully embrace the responsibility entrusted to me and remain committed to advancing our national priorities with integrity and purpose. I will give all I have in me to help you [President] achieve your great vision for this country,” Nsengiyumva said following his appointment.
Under Rwanda’s Constitution, the appointment of a new prime minister triggers the formation of a new Cabinet within 15 days, setting the stage for further changes in the country’s leadership.
Leadership change marks push to reshape government
While the government has not provided an official reason for the change, the move is widely seen as part of President Kagame’s broader strategy to recalibrate key leadership roles in line with Rwanda’s evolving development agenda.
Ngirente’s dismissal ends a nearly seven-year tenure during which he spearheaded a range of policy initiatives focused on economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and regional cooperation.
His replacement reflects Kagame’s sustained emphasis on technocratic leadership and economic expertise—an approach seen as crucial to maintaining Rwanda’s status as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies amid a shifting regional landscape.
The shake-up is the latest in a series of high-level changes that underscore Kagame’s firm grip on power and the centralised nature of governance in Rwanda.
Earlier in the day, Kagame held a brief meeting with the prime minister-designate “for consultation and alignment on key national priorities,” according to a statement posted on his official Facebook page.
