Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, in its articles 116 and 112, His Excellency The President of the Republic, Paul Kagame, has appointed Hon. Mr Gaspard Twagirayezu as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA). This appointment was made on September 11, 2024, with Mr Twagirayezu succeeding Col Francis Ngabo, who has led the agency since its establishment in 2020.
Hon Twagirayezu’s appointment represents a significant milestone in the evolution of RSA, which is instrumental in driving Rwanda’s space ambitions. Under the leadership of Col Ngabo, the RSA achieved major milestones, including pioneering space research, advancing infrastructure, and implementing sustainable models for the agency. Strategic partnerships with leading global space institutions further strengthened Rwanda’s position in the international space sector. Thus, Mr Twagirayezu’s leadership will propel the agency into its next phase of growth and innovation.
A Visionary Leader with a Proven Track Record
Before his appointment as CEO of RSA, Hon Twagirayezu served as the Minister of Education in Rwanda. Before this, he was Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, where he championed several initiatives to transform Rwanda’s education system. One of his most notable achievements was promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, which has played a vital role in shaping the next generation of Rwandan innovators.
Hon Twagirayezu also served as a Senior Policy and Strategy Analyst in the Office of the President, working closely on national development strategies. His extensive science and technology policy background is further strengthened by his previous role as a Science and Technology Knowledge Transfer Analyst at the National Commission of Science and Technology (NCST). In this role, he developed strategies that facilitated integrating scientific research into practical applications for national development.
In addition to his impressive career in public service, Hon Twagirayezu holds a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management from Oklahoma Christian University in the United States, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Electronics Engineering. As part of Rwanda’s Presidential Scholarship Programme, he returned to Rwanda after completing his studies to contribute to developing STEM education projects.
A New Chapter for Rwanda Space Agency
The Rwanda Space Agency, established in 2020, is tasked with developing Rwanda’s space capabilities and promoting space technologies to enhance the country’s socio-economic development. Under Mr Twagirayezu’s leadership, the agency will deepen its engagement with the international space community and foster greater collaboration with African and global partners.
With Hon Twagirayezu’s rich education, policy, and technology transfer background, his leadership will bring a renewed focus on local capacity building. This aligns with Rwanda’s ambition to position itself as a hub for space innovation in Africa. He will aim to advance local expertise in satellite technology, data analytics, and space exploration, positioning Rwanda as a leader in Africa’s space sector.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2024/09/13/honourable-gaspard-twagirayezu-appointed-as-new-ceo-of-rwanda-space-agency/
