Former Rwandan State Minister for Infrastructure Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye has taken up a senior role at Raffles Family Office (RFO), a Hong Kong-based multi-family office focused on wealth management and investment advisory services.
Uwihanganye has been appointed Principal, Emerging Markets and Business Development, a newly created position in which he will focus on strengthening RFO’s engagement along the Africa-Asia investment corridor. He will be based in Hong Kong and report directly to the firm’s Group CEO, Chi Man Kwan. Disruption Banking+1
His appointment was announced on September 8, 2026, as RFO looks to deepen its presence in Africa and identify investment opportunities linked to the continent’s expanding markets.
Kwan welcomed Uwihanganye to the firm, saying Africa’s potential requires people who understand both the African and Asian markets.
“We are delighted to welcome Jean. Africa’s potential is greater than many yet recognise, and helping perception catch up with that potential takes people who understand both ends of the corridor,” Kwan said. Disruption Banking
Uwihanganye said his new role would allow him to help African families access international wealth and legacy solutions while creating structured opportunities for Asian and global capital to invest in Africa.
“Africa and Asia are increasingly writing the next chapter of global growth together, and patient family capital can be one of the most effective bridges between them,” he said. Disruption Banking
From government to international business
Uwihanganye brings more than 15 years of experience spanning government, diplomacy, infrastructure and cross-border business.
He most recently served as Rwanda’s Minister of State for Infrastructure. Before that, he was Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Singapore, with accreditation to Australia, New Zealand and Brunei, and also served as ambassador to Indonesia. Disruption Banking
During his diplomatic career in Singapore, he was involved in efforts to strengthen economic ties between Rwanda, Africa and Asian investors. He also served as Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors in Singapore, representing African diplomatic missions in engagements with the Asia-Pacific business community. Disruption Banking
His previous experience also includes work in Rwanda’s construction sector.
Focus on Africa-Asia investment
At RFO, Uwihanganye will be tasked with developing business opportunities across emerging markets, with a particular focus on connecting African opportunities with Asian and international capital.
The appointment comes as RFO positions Africa as an increasingly important market for wealth creation, investment and wealth-management services. The firm says the continent’s demographic growth and the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area are expected to create new opportunities for investors and businesses. Disruption Banking
Uwihanganye’s new position also builds on his previous engagement with RFO. In 2023, while serving as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Singapore, he participated in an RFO forum in Hong Kong focused on the long-term development of Asian, Middle Eastern and African family businesses. Rwanda in Singapore
RFO describes itself as a multi-family office serving wealthy families with services including wealth management, investment and succession planning.
Uwihanganye is a chartered engineer with first-class degrees from Rwanda and the University of Manchester. He also holds an MBA from Nanyang Business School at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Disruption Banking Sources
