President Paul Kagame has appointed Justin Nsengiyumva as Rwanda’s new prime minister, replacing Edouard Ngirente who had held the post since 2017. The announcement came late Wednesday in a statement posted on X by the office of the government spokesperson, though no reason was given for the change in leadership.
Nsengiyumva, previously the deputy governor of Rwanda’s central bank, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Leicester and has previously worked with the British government. His appointment marks a significant shift in Rwanda’s executive leadership, though no cabinet reshuffle was announced alongside the move.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ngirente took to X to express gratitude for his time in office. “This journey has been deeply enriching,” he wrote, thanking President Kagame without elaborating on the cause of his departure.
The Rwandan prime minister serves as head of government, overseeing the daily operations and coordination of state ministries. Ngirente’s replacement comes roughly a year after Kagame was re-elected in 2024 with 99.18% of the vote, extending his presidency to nearly 25 years in office.
The abrupt change has sparked speculation about a potential policy pivot or strategic restructuring within Kagame’s administration, although officials have remained silent on the motivations behind the move.
