The appointment was announced on Thursday 2nd March 2023 through a communiqué released by the Office of Prime Minister.

The communiqué also announced the appointment of Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye as the Director General of Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and Ms. Clarisse Umutoni as the Chied Financial Officer at RAB.

Dr. Musafiri has been serving as the State Minister in MINAGRI since August 2022.

Prior to his appointment last year, Dr. Musafiri was the Executive Director of the Strategy and Policy Council (SPC) in the Office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda for 6 years.

Formerly a member of the board of directors of the National Bank of Rwanda since April 2018, he is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Business and Economics, where he previously served as Lecturer and Head of the Economics Department.

His research focused on development economics and policy, particularly the analysis of poverty and inequality, agricultural growth, and food policy.

Dr. Musafiri earned his Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Bonn (Germany) and a M.Sc. in applied economics from the University of Rwanda.

He becomes Minister at a time when food prices continue to rise in Rwanda.

During the recently concluded National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano), Dr. Musafiri said that increasing irrigated fields, facilitating easy access to fertilizers, appropriately handling agricultural produce, staying closer to farmers, easing access to loans and insurance schemes would help the country achieve food sufficiency.

Dr. Ndabamenye named Director General of RAB has been serving as an advisor in MINAGRI.

He replaces Dr. Alexandre Rutikanga who held the position for one month since 31st January 2023.

Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri is the new Minister of Agriculture.

Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye has been named Director General of RAB.

Dr. Mukeshimana has been leading MINAGRI for years years. She was the longest serving cabinet member.