President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, September 11, named Joseph Nsengimana the new Minister of Education, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Nsengimana replaces Gaspard Twagirayezu, who has been named the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Space Agency.

Until his appointment, Nsengimana was the director of the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning based in Kigali.

Prior to joining the Mastercard Foundation, Nsengimana worked with the US tech giant Intel Corporation. His last role at Intel was Executive Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Strategy and External Partnerships.

While at Intel, he crafted and led the implementation of the company’s Africa public policy and corporate affairs strategy. He also led the team responsible for government affairs, education, ICT and broadband policies in Sub Saharan Africa.

According to the statement, Nelly Mukazayire has been appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sport, replacing Zephanie Niyonkuru who was dismissed in August.

Until Wednesday, Mukazayire was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development (RDB), a position she had held since March 2023. Prior to that, the economist was the CEO of Rwanda Convention Bureau.

Twagirayezu, who had been the Minister of Education since August 2023, replaces Col Francis Ngabo.

Prior to becoming the minister, Twagirayezu had served as the Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education since February 2020.

The electrical and computer engineer had previously served as Senior Analyst in the Strategy and Policy Council in the Office of the President since October 2019.