The launch event, held at the Marriott Hotel, brought together key stakeholders, including regulators, industry leaders, and Apex Group executives, to celebrate the company's commitment to Rwanda and its role in supporting economic growth and innovation across East Africa.
The event featured remarks from prominent figures, including Alan Keet, Regional Head of Africa for Apex Group, Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), Hortense Mudenge, CEO of the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), and a video message from Peter Hughes, Apex Group's Founder and CEO.
Apex Group, with a global presence spanning 52 countries and 112 offices, services over $3.4 trillion in assets and employs more than 13,000 people worldwide. The opening of its Kigali office, the seventh in Africa alongside locations in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, marks a key expansion of the company's footprint on the continent.
'It makes me tremendously proud that we have expanded now into Rwanda… It shows Apex's commitment to Africa, which, as Africans, is a real feather in our cap," Alan Keet, the Apex Group's Regional Head of Africa, stated.
The Kigali office will offer a comprehensive suite of services, including Fund Administration, Corporate Services, Compliance Solutions, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) advisory services, pending regulatory approval.
The services cater to a broad range of fund structures, from private equity and real estate to open-end funds like Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, as well as innovative digital finance solutions such as tokenisation and digital ledger technology.
Keet emphasised the company's ability to address complex challenges, noting, 'We are yet to find a conundrum or a challenge that we can't solve within the Apex Group globally.'
The launch of Apex Group's office aligns with the ambitions of the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), which aims to position Rwanda as a leading hub for cross-border investment and sustainable finance.
Hortense Mudenge, CEO of KIFC, described the event as 'a pivotal moment in Rwanda's journey of becoming a key financial hub on the continent.'
She highlighted the full-circle nature of Apex's entry, which began with discussions in late 2024 and culminated in the office opening, signalling growing confidence in Rwanda's progressive business environment.
Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Governor of Rwanda's central bank, delivered a keynote address in which she echoed this sentiment, stressing the country's strategic efforts to build a robust financial ecosystem.
'You can't have a financial centre if you don't have international players,' she said, noting Apex's role in complementing traditional banking and pension funds with innovative services.
She also praised Rwanda's macroeconomic stability and digital ambitions, stating, 'The use of technology and digitally-driven financial services… is something that we value, as Rwanda is ambitiously aiming to become a digital hub for the continent.'
Investing in local talent
Apex Group officials emphasised that its entry into Rwanda is not only about expanding its global footprint but also about investing in local talent and contributing to economic development. With approximately 1,200 of its 13,000 employees based in Africa, the company affirmed its commitment to creating employment opportunities and upskilling local professionals.
Keet praised Emma Msowoya, the Country Head of Apex Group in Rwanda, for her 'tenacious, well-organised, and great people skills,' which he believes will drive rapid growth in the region. KIFC's Mudenge also highlighted the opportunities for local professionals, noting Apex's focus on 'upskilling, capacity building, and talent development.'
Peter Hughes, in his video message, underscored the strategic importance of the Kigali office, which he said will deliver 'world-class asset servicing across both traditional assets and DeFi assets.'
He highlighted Emma's 15 years of experience at Apex and her role leading the Rwanda operations, emphasising the company's intent to leverage experienced talent to expand its presence and strengthen Rwanda's financial ecosystem.
A collaborative future
The launch event also highlighted the collaborative spirit between Apex Group, KIFC, and Rwandan regulators. Governor Hakuziyaremye expressed confidence that Apex's presence would attract more global asset management players, stating, 'You can count on our support and our engagement in the different forums that we organise.'
KIFC CEO Mudenge added, 'As much as you have expectations of us, we also have expectations of you to leverage and use Rwanda as the base to support further investment and capital deployment, not just in Rwanda, but in the region as a whole.'
Wycliffe Nyamasege
