The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente on Monday, January 13, 2025.

"Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, particularly Article 112, His Excellency the President of the Republic has today, January 13, 2025, appointed Mr. Jean-Guy Afrika as the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)," Dr. Ngirente stated in a communiqué.

Afrika brings to RDB a wealth of experience in regional integration, infrastructure finance, and public policy. His expertise will be pivotal in advancing RDB’s core mandate to drive Rwanda’s economic growth, attract investment, promote exports, develop the tourism sector, and ensure the country has the necessary skills and infrastructure to sustain long-term economic development.

Before his new appointment, Afrika served as Acting Director of the Regional Integration Coordination Office at the African Development Bank (AfDB), a position he held since December 16, 2021. In this capacity, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributed significantly to Africa’s regional development goals.

He joined the AfDB in 2010 and held various key positions across departments focused on trade, infrastructure, and industrialization.

In his previous role, Afrika was responsible for overseeing a regional integration portfolio valued at $13 billion and played a pivotal role in structuring the $555 million Central Africa Republic-Congo multimodal transport project.

Afrika’s extensive experience includes advising on the design and implementation of over 35 projects spanning critical sectors like trade facilitation, energy, agriculture, and private sector development. He also contributed to major initiatives such as the Africa Regional Integration Index and the Africa Visa Openness Index, which are now flagship knowledge products for the African Union.

Afrika holds a Master of Arts degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University and has further advanced his leadership expertise through executive programs at institutions such as Harvard Kennedy School and Oxford University.

Afrika brings to RDB a wealth of experience in regional integration, infrastructure finance, and public policy.