Soraya Hakuziyaremye

Soraya Hakuziyaremye (born Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye, in Brussels, Belgium) is a Rwandan banker, financial management professional and politician who has served as Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda since 25 February 2025, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the institution's history. She previously served as Rwandan Cabinet Minister of Trade and Industry in the Rwandan cabinet from October 2018 to March 2021. Quotes "Made in Rwanda is actually a tool that allows us to remain competitive economically." Explaining the government's flagship industrial policy, while serving as Minister of Trade and Industry. Rwanda Day 2019: Hon Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Minister of Trade and Industry (October 14, 2019) "More women in leadership is not only the right thing to do. On why gender-inclusive leadership matters for Africa's financial sector, following her appointment as central bank governor. Leading with Intention: How Soraya Hakuziyaremye is Redesigning Finance for Women in Africa Graça Machel Trust (May 22, 2025) "Insurance is an essential pillar of modern financial systems." Arguing that insurance should be treated as core economic infrastructure, at the Africa CEO Forum. At Africa CEO Forum, BNR Governor Says Insurance Is Economic Infrastructure, Not Just a Financial Product KT Press (May 14, 2026) "Research should not only provide lessons but also serve as a practical tool." On the role of economic research in policymaking, at the Central Bank's Annual Research Conference. Central Bank, IGC call for stronger research to support Rwanda's economic resilience Rwanda Dispatch (June 18, 2026) Rwanda is ready to export goods to the wider African market adding that no one should worry that some of the countries with the largest economies on the continent will give less value to the market. Rwanda says ready to triple its international trade in 10 years as AfCFTA Starts, Soraya said www.Hooza.rw (January 15, 2021) “We, as Rwandans, find that in the next 10 years, we will have tripled our trade with foreign countries, She encouraged ordinary people as well as the Private Sector to take part in taking the benefits from this big market, Soraya said www.Hooza.Com (January 15, 2021) We are now at an investigation phase. We are analysing what could be the benefits to Rwandans to have CBDC but also the risk not only to our economy but the sector depending on the form of digital currency we would issue. Central bank to pronounce digital currency, The New Times (March 1, 2021) What is important is to look at financial inclusion because if you issue a digital currency, you shouldn’t be excluding your population, it has to go with closing the digital divide and making sure that people have the option to use it. Said Soraya, The New Times (March 1, 2021) We’ve been having a facility at the central bank for banks that can come to us and we do what we call a forex swap—when we lock in a rate that they can come in one year, two years, and they will get the dollars at that rate and they pay us a premium. Rwanda’s BNR Wants Businesses and Individuals Shielded from Forex Volatility—Through Banks Kt Press (June 8, 2025) Local banks… are also developing those instruments that they can extend to the private sector and even individuals. Rwanda’s BNR Wants Businesses and Individuals Shielded from Forex Volatility—Through Banks Kt Press (June 8, 2025) We’ve done a lot to make sure Rwanda is not easily impacted by global volatility. Rwanda’s BNR Wants Businesses and Individuals Shielded from Forex Volatility—Through Banks (Kt Press June 8, 2025) NBR’s work on meeting net-zero targets is embedded in the national policies and the robust institutional, legal and policy framework to address climate change, reduce biodiversity losses, and enhance adaptive capacity. In conversation with Ms Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Deputy Governor, National Bank of Rwanda NGFS (March 28, 2024). The NBR is actively supporting the development of Rwanda’s Green Taxonomy as per the NGFS recommendation #6. In conversation with Ms Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Deputy Governor, National Bank of Rwanda NGFS (March 28, 2024). Our involvement as new member of the NGFS Steering Committee, as well as contribution in various Workstreams, is a result of our commitment to play a significant role in the greening of the financial sector not only in Rwanda, but across the region. In conversation with Ms Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Deputy Governor, National Bank of Rwanda NGFS (March 28, 2024). it’s important for countries to mobilize their own resources and be able to, you know, be in control of their own destiny. Soraya Hakuziyaremye on Africa’s economic resilience—a central bank perspective Brookings (May 2, 2025). I think the key word for Africa is building Africa’s economic resilience. Soraya Hakuziyaremye on Africa’s economic resilience—a central bank perspective Brookings (May 2, 2025). Whatever the World Bank is doing, whatever countries are investing in, are actually resulting to jobs. Soraya Hakuziyaremye on Africa’s economic resilience—a central bank perspective Brookings (May 2, 2025). I think for any human being, it's good to not only have a very fulfilling career, but probably you spend a lot of time working, but have time for other things as well. Soraya Hakuziyaremye: Rwanda’s first female central bank governor on life, career The New Times (February 28, 2025) People who take things for granted or feel that they're entitled instead of really, sort of, building on opportunities they are given and making the best of them. Soraya Hakuziyaremye: Rwanda’s first female central bank governor on life, career The New Times (February 28, 2025) when I look at all my interests, I started by saying I was curious and passionate about knowing about banking. So, I'm a very curious person, so things that I don't understand, they tend to attract me because I want to always expand my knowledge. (the new times,Saturday, September 19, 2026) You cannot grow an economy if you don't have macroeconomic stability. New central bank governor outlines plan to strengthen financial stability the new times (September 22, 2026) How do we build financial resilience for our population so that you not only have a bank account, but you are able to save, invest, and plan for long term? New central bank governor outlines plan to strengthen financial stability the new times(September 22, 2026) As a country, we should aim to have a population or citizens that look at wealth creation; create wealth for our children, and our grandchildren. New central bank governor outlines plan to strengthen financial stability the new times (September 22, 2026) It’s an honor, it’s a privilege, but it’s also a result of policies that our country has taken, and the deliberate efforts to make sure that men and women in Rwanda have the same opportunities. New central bank governor outlines plan to strengthen financial stability the new times (September 22, 2026) I also know that it's a result of many other women that have worked in different sectors, but mostly in the central bank, and proved that they were capable of doing the job. New central bank governor outlines plan to strengthen financial stability the new times (September 22, 2026) I'm hoping that I'm also paving the way for many more women that will lead, not only the central bank in Rwanda, but also other institutions, especially in finance. New central bank governor outlines plan to strengthen financial stability the new times (September 22, 2026) Once someone is trained and has a Mobile Money account, our hope is that they move forward—start a small business or create their own job. That’s how people build wealth. From SIM Cards to Savings: How Rwanda’s Central Bank is Banking on Rural Women KT Press(September 22, 2026) Every woman should be able to open an account and walk this journey toward financial independence. From SIM Cards to Savings: How Rwanda’s Central Bank is Banking on Rural Women KT Press(September 22, 2026) We are not just opening bank accounts. We are opening doors. From SIM Cards to Savings: How Rwanda’s Central Bank is Banking on Rural Women KT Press (September 22, 2026) Together, we can transform financial inclusion from an aspiration into a tangible, systemic reality, for women, for communities, and for economies across Africa. From barriers to breakthroughs - enablers of inclusive innovation BIS (September 22, 2026) As a woman, when you're promoted, you have to deliver twice as much. In Rwanda, women occupy high positions Le monde (September 22, 2026). We must treat insurance not as a niche financial product, but as a strategic tool for economic resilience, fiscal stability, and inclusive growth. Low insurance penetration worries African policymakers. newtimes.co.rw (September 24, 2026). These shocks are no longer rare events, they are part of our new normal. Low insurance penetration worries African policymakers. newtimes.co.rw (September 24, 2026). Inflation has moderated significantly thanks to sustained monetary policy measures and government interventions. Central Bank governor flags potential rise in inflation. newtimes.co.rw (September 24, 2026). Rwanda has demonstrated that gender progress at the top is achievable, but the pipeline sustaining it remains fragile. Rwanda Sets a Global Benchmark for Women’s Leadership in Finance – But the Leadership Pipeline Requires Attention. afr.rw (October 11, 2026) Institutions need to act to ensure talent is recognized, supported, and able to progress. Rwanda Sets a Global Benchmark for Women’s Leadership in Finance – But the Leadership Pipeline Requires Attention. afr.rw (October 11, 2026) Promotion rates for women remain lower, attrition is higher, pay equity concerns persist, and women remain underrepresented in technical, strategic and revenue-generating roles. These are not soft issues. They are structural inefficiencies that weaken institutional performance and limit the talent our sector can draw on. Rwanda's financial sector has female leaders, but path to the top remains uneven. msn.com (October 11, 2026) Every institution in this room must look inward in a candid manner. Are your recruitment, promotion and talent management practices creating equal opportunity? Are you retaining talented women or losing them to gaps you have not yet chosen to close? Rwanda's financial sector has female leaders, but path to the top remains uneven. msn.com (October 11, 2026) “Inclusion is not charity. It is strategy.” Launch of Women in Financial Services 2025 Study, Bank for International Settlements, 15 June 2026. “The barriers are known, the breakthroughs are emerging, and the enablers are within our reach.” From barriers to breakthroughs – enablers of inclusive innovation, Bank for International Settlements, 12 March 2026. “I studied mathematics and physics in high school, but I was always intrigued by financial news, even though I didn’t understand it.” Leading with Intention: How Soraya Hakuziyaremye is Redesigning Finance for Women in Africa, Graça Machel Trust. There are a lot of things that probably get on my nerves. But maybe something that I'm always trying to make sure that I avoid is being given an opportunity and not seizing that opportunity.For me, it's something that I always try to make sure that I don't do. (the new times ,Saturday, September 19, 2026) External links Category:Women from Rwanda Category:Rwandan bankers Category:Government ministers of Rwanda Category:Living people