The meeting follows Dr. Nsengiyumva's appointment on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, replacing Edouard Ngirente, who had served as Rwanda's Prime Minister since 2017.
The appointment of Dr. Nsengiyumva is expected to trigger the formation of a new Cabinet, per the provisions of Rwanda's Constitution.
A seasoned technocrat with a PhD in economics, Dr. Nsengiyumva previously served as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda. His professional journey has also included roles as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and in the Ministry of Education.
Reacting to his appointment on Wednesday, Dr. Nsengiyumva expressed gratitude to President Kagame and pledged to lead with humility and commitment.
'Thank you, Your Excellency Paul Kagame, for your trust and confidence once again. I am deeply honoured, humbled, and grateful,' he wrote on X.
'I pledge to serve you and Rwanda with humility and dedication under your leadership and guidance. I fully embrace the responsibility entrusted to me and remain committed to advancing our national priorities with integrity and purpose.'
As the seventh Prime Minister of Rwanda since 1994, Nsengiyumva takes office at a critical juncture, with just four years remaining to implement the country's Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), a five-year development plan launched in 2024.
The NST2 outlines ambitious goals across key sectors, including job creation, economic growth, education, healthcare, and service delivery. Among the headline targets are the creation of 1.25 million productive jobs by 2029, doubling private investment from $2.2 billion to $4.6 billion, and raising exports from $3.5 billion to $7.3 billion.
In agriculture, output is projected to increase by over 50%, driven by an 85% expansion in irrigated land, improved access to fertilisers and seeds, and modernised livestock production. The sector is expected to grow by at least 6% annually through a market-oriented approach.
Education reforms will see pre-primary school enrolment rise from 35% to 65%, while efforts to boost science and technology learning will be scaled up. At least 500,000 people are set to be trained in digital skills, and vocational training will be tailored to match labour market demands.
Healthcare access and quality are also set for transformation. The number of registered health workers is expected to quadruple, with targeted improvements in maternal and child health services. The government aims to reduce child stunting from 33% to 15%.
By 2029, every household, school, and health facility in Rwanda is expected to have access to electricity and clean water. Meanwhile, a digital national ID and fully digitised government services are planned to streamline public service delivery.
Tourism revenue is projected to double, with Rwanda positioning itself as a leading destination for international conferences. On the global stage, the government will focus on foreign investment, increased trade, and deeper engagement with the Rwandan diaspora in national development efforts.
As Prime Minister, Dr. Nsengiyumva will be at the centre of driving this wide-ranging national agenda. His leadership is expected to focus on accelerating progress where needed, reinforcing delivery mechanisms, and ensuring Rwanda stays on track to achieve its development goals by 2029.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
