The Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), Soraya Hakuziyaremye, has received the African Woman in Finance Award in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the development of the financial sector and efforts to expand access to financial services across the continent.
The award was presented during the AFIS Awards 2026 ceremony held in Luanda, Angola, on November 3, 2026, as part of the Africa Financial Summit, which brought together leaders from financial institutions, banks, investment firms and policymakers from across Africa.
The National Bank of Rwanda said the award recognises Hakuziyaremye’s outstanding leadership, commitment and dedication to advancing the financial sector, particularly through initiatives aimed at increasing access to financial services among the population.
BNR added that the recognition also highlights Rwanda’s contribution to the development of Africa’s financial sector and the growing role of women in shaping decisions that influence the continent’s economic future.
The African Woman in Finance Award is presented by the organisers of the Africa Financial Summit to women who demonstrate outstanding leadership in public or private institutions within the financial sector.
Recipients are selected based on their professional achievements, leadership abilities, influence in the financial sector and initiatives aimed at expanding access to financial services.
Hakuziyaremye received the award after serving as Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda for more than a year. She was appointed to the position on February 25, 2025, replacing John Rwangombwa.
She became the first woman in Rwanda’s history to lead the central bank, having previously served as Deputy Governor for nearly four years following her appointment in March 2021.
Before joining BNR, Hakuziyaremye served as Minister of Trade and Industry from October 2018 to March 2021, where she contributed to the implementation of the Made in Rwanda policy and efforts to promote trade and industrial development.
She also worked with international financial institutions, including ING Bank in London, BNP Paribas Group in Paris, Fortis Bank and Bank of New York Mellon in Brussels.
Hakuziyaremye holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium and an advanced qualification in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the United States.
She also undertook leadership studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
The award is among the AFIS Awards, which recognise individuals and institutions that have contributed to strengthening Africa’s financial sector, promoting innovation and expanding access to financial services.
The Africa Financial Summit (AFIS) was established in 2021 by Jeune Afrique Media Group in partnership with the Africa CEO Forum. It serves as a continental platform for advancing the development of Africa’s financial sector.
Each year, AFIS brings together banking executives, insurance companies, investors, central bank governors and government policymakers to discuss ways to increase investment, promote financial technology and expand access to financial services.
The summit also organises the AFIS Awards, which recognise outstanding leadership and contributions to the development of Africa’s financial industry. The awards cover several categories, including African Woman in Finance, banking leadership and financial innovation. Winners are selected based on their achievements, leadership capacity, and contribution to the growth of the continent’s financial sector.