Confirming the appointment, AIMS founder and IGB Chair, Professor Neil Turok, hailed Afrika's leadership and expertise, calling it 'invaluable' to the institute's strategic direction.
Established in 2003 in South Africa and now operating centres in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda, AIMS is a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence offering postgraduate training, research, and public engagement in STEM.
The institute continues to play a key role in shaping Africa's future through its intensive master's programmes, including the African Master's in Machine Intelligence (AMMI), its academic-industry partnerships, and initiatives like Quantum Leap Africa and the Next Einstein Forum.
Afrika, a former senior executive at the African Development Bank (AfDB), brings more than 30 years of experience in development economics and regional integration.
At the AfDB, he served in several top positions including Secretary General, Director of Policy and Resource Mobilisation, and Director of NEPAD and Regional Integration.
Since retiring from the bank in 2009, Afrika has continued to be a key figure in Rwanda's economic and academic development. He is currently the chairman and co-founder of the University of Kigali, where he also heads the Centre for Economic Governance and Leadership.
His extensive boardroom experience includes previous tenures with Cogebanque Rwanda, Access Bank Rwanda, and the West African Development Bank (BOAD).
Afrika joins a high-profile roster on the AIMS board, including Charles Boamah, former Senior Vice President of the AfDB; Prof. Thuli Madonsela, Chair of Law and Social Justice at Stellenbosch University; and Serena Lefort, former Chair of Canada's Quantum Valley Ideas Lab.
Speaking on his appointment, Afrika said, 'It is an honour to contribute to AIMS' inspiring mission of empowering Africa's brightest minds through science and education.'
The next AIMS International Governing Board meeting will be held virtually, ahead of an in-person Annual General Meeting scheduled for early 2026 in Kigali.
The event is expected to highlight Rwanda's growing role in shaping Africa's scientific and innovation agenda.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
