New RDB CEO swears-in

Ambassador Valentine Sendanyoye Rugwabiza

President Paul Kagame, on October 18 received the oath of Ambassador Valentine Sendanyoye Rugwabiza who was sworn in as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Rugwabiza is expected to bring on board, her political and business skills that she has attained as a diplomat and Director at the World Trade Organisation.

At the swearing in ceremony, President Kagame said that her new position would allow her to maximise her experience from WTO for the development of the nation.

Her predecessor, Claire Akamanzi earned Rwanda the credit of being one of the top countries in doing business in Africa and the region.

Rugwabiza former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organisation and senator, was on October 10 appointed by the cabinet as the next lady to man Rwanda’s development engine- replacing Clare Akamanzi, who has been acting CEO. Akamanzi was appointed the Chief Operations Officer (COO).

At WTO, Rugwabiza was particularly in charge of development issues; including trade policy review, trade facilitation, and training and technical cooperation. She was also in charge of WTO work programme on aid for trade.

Rugwabiza was one of the four directors-general who served under Director-General Pascal Lamy from October 2005 to September 2013. Previously she served as Rwanda’s envoy to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Before , Rugwabiza served in different senior managerial positions in the private sector both in Rwanda and abroad, like the Swiss multinational. Rugwabiza is also the founder of the Rwandan Association of Women Entrepreneurs.

In May, 2013, Jeune Afrique magazine named both, Rugwabiza and Claire Akamanzi among Africa’s 25 most influential women.

New RDB CEO swears-in