Ronald Niwenshuti, the new Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), seeks to improve service delivery to taxpayers and enhance tax systems, building on the progress already made.
Niwenshuti was appointed the new leader of the revenue body on Wednesday, June 12, amidst a mini-reshuffle that saw President Paul Kagame make changes in cabinet and government agencies.
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He replaces Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali who has been serving in the position since October 2018. The Commissioner General, in RRA, has a five-year contract which is only renewable once.
Speaking to The New Times, Niwenshuti who was previously serving as Assistant Commissioner for Tax Audit at RRA, said that he will build on what has been achieved by his predecessor in line with delivering on the body’s mandate.
He said: "The priorities are to improve service delivery for our taxpayers, further enhance tax systems with more services being automated, and improve capacity building for our staff to better fulfill the responsibilities.”
Additionally, he said, the priorities will continue to revolve around advising the government on tax policies given the ever-evolving changes in world tax systems and emerging needs.
In 2023, Rwanda adopted changes to its tax legislation to ease the burden on taxpayers, improve compliance, and widen the tax base. Niwenshuti noted that there will be continued efforts for tax compliance awareness and education across the country.
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The changes regard the excise duty law, immovable property tax law, income taxes, value-added tax, reduction of interest rates for non-declaration of tax, among others. In the fiscal year 2024/2025, the government seeks to source 60 per cent, or Rwf3.4 trillion of the proposed budget from domestic resources including tax revenue collection.
Niwenshuti holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Services from the former National University of Rwanda and a Masters Degree in Tax Policy and Tax Administration from the Berlin School of Economics and Law.