John Gara  CEO RDB

Fitting in Joe Ritchie’s shoes is not going to be an easy task. RDB having been created to improve the well-being of all Rwandans by fast-tracking development remains the epitome of the country’s highway to realise everything  that is outlined in Vision 2020.

Every one watches whatever happens at RDB, be it registration of business, producing a business climate, following up on ICT projects, regulating hospitality facilities and promoting tourism.

A seasoned lawyer by profession John Gara assumed office on December 1st 2009 with an emphasis of injecting a private sector mentality into government.

Despite all eyes being on him in 2010, Gara has 20 years experience working with different international organisations that deal with international investment deals.

Gara’s resume includes a speciality in transacting deals. The new CEO at RDB will be initially focusing on restructuring the institution and later on focus on the core objective of RDB which is to increase investment in the different sectors.

John Gara’s Resume

• Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat
• United Nations (UN)
• DFID
• The World Bank

After 35 senior officials of the Gikondo based PSF were sacked last year, citing the global economic crisis, there were rumors that the institution was limping with lack of funds. However officials said the federation was, just changing the approach and introducing a new strategy.

It would be interesting to see how CEO Emmanuel Hategeka (above) will turn tables this year.

John Mirenge (second from left) resigned from ELECTROGAZ as Director General to join Tri-star. According to sources Mirenge has already spearheaded the re-branding and restructuring of the investment group with much higher prospects in 2010.

Rwandatel launched its GSM platform and everyone was happy that MTN’s monopoly in the telecom market would break even. Just a few months down the road LAP Green the holding company announced a new CEO, Issiaka Maiga Hamidou (third from left) to manage operations in Rwanda.

Hamidou has the burden of beating, stiff competition from both MTN and Tigo Rwanda. 

Just months after suffering a setback, Rwandair acquired a $40 million loan facility and thereafter purchased a CRJ200 series. With the new craft (and another set to arrive later) all eyes will be on Amb. Gerald Zirimwagabo, how he steer the company to greater heights, this year.

The nominees

1. Alex Kamara
    Tigo Rwanda
2. John Mirenge
    CEO Tri-star 
3. Issiaka Maiga Hamidou
    Rwandatel
4. Hategeka Emmanuel
    Rwanda Private Sector Federation
5. Gerald Zirimwagabo
    Rwandair
6. Jack Nkusi Kayonga
    Rwanda Development Bank

Ends