Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 16 years of experience in economic policy, trade, and private sector development, the expert is a seasoned economist and policy analyst. Specializing in strategic planning, market systems development, and policy analysis, the expert has held notable roles such as Director General of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Chief Technical Advisor at Rwanda's Ministry of Trade and Industry. Responsibilities have included leading multi-stakeholder forums and developing key policies like Rwanda's Entrepreneurship Development Policy. The expert has successfully coordinated international projects, attracting $21M for entrepreneurship support, and spearheaded initiatives promoting green technologies and circular economy practices.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as the United Nations, World Bank, USAID, and the Rockefeller Foundation. The expert's involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building in areas like trade, economic development, and entrepreneurship. These projects have been national and sector-specific, focusing on enhancing trade facilitation, entrepreneurship development, and youth employment in Rwanda. Career highlights include contributions to initiatives like the Fortified Whole Grain Project and the Value-adding Initiative to Boost Employment, aligning with the Mastercard Foundation's Young Africa Works strategy.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has extensive experience working in sectors including trade, industry, investment, SMEs, entrepreneurship, and regional integration. Previously held roles such as Director General of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Chief Technical Advisor have focused on policy development and strategic planning. Cross-cutting expertise includes economic policy analysis, sustainable development, and stakeholder engagement. The expert has worked primarily in Rwanda and East Africa, contributing to national and regional initiatives that address economic growth and development challenges. With a deep familiarity with local governance and regional development issues, the expert has engaged with both public and private sectors and collaborated with international partners on projects addressing regional integration and economic growth.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is fluent in English, French, and Kinyarwanda, with intermediate proficiency in Swahili. These language skills have been utilized in various professional contexts, including in-country work and collaboration with multilingual teams, facilitating effective communication and coordination in international projects and stakeholder engagements. The expert holds an MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy from Mount Kenya University, Kenya, and a BSc in Development Economics from the National University of Rwanda. They are finalizing a second MSc in International Trade Policy and Law at Lund University, Sweden. Additionally, they have completed an Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in International Trade Policy and Trade Law from Lund University, equipping them with a strong foundation in economics, international relations, and trade policy.