In recognition of her contributions to global diplomacy and development, Valentine Rugwabiza has been nominated among the 100 Most Influential African Women for 2023 by Avance Media Africa.

Rugwabiza is currently serving as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

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Avance Media, one of Africa's Leading Rating, Media, and Public Relations Agency, announced the prestigious nomination on their official Twitter account. The recognition comes as part of the agency's fifth annual edition of the 100 Most Influential African Women, a list that celebrates the achievements of women leaders from 31 different countries across the continent.

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Rugwabiza's inclusion on the list highlights her career spanning over thirty years, during which she has contributed to Africa's development and security. Her diverse experience includes roles in the public and corporate sectors, international relations, and diplomacy.

Rugwabiza served as the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations from 2016, concurrently holding the position of non-resident Ambassador of Rwanda to Colombia and Jamaica.

Prior to this, from 2014 to 2016, she assumed the role of Minister of East African Community Affairs and was a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly. Her leadership extended to the business sector, where she served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board and a Member of the Cabinet from 2013 to 2014.

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Her international profile is further underscored by her role as the Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva from 2005 to 2013.

Earlier in her career, she served as the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office in Geneva and United Nations specialized agencies, along with being the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Rwanda to Switzerland from 2002 to 2005.

The 100 Most Influential African Women list by Avance Media for 2023 features a distinguished array of leaders, including two presidents, three vice presidents, a prime minister, and influential figures from both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Among those there are the President of Tanzania - Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the prime minister of Namibia - Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.