Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, has been appointed Chairperson of the Governing Council of the East African Development Bank (EADB), marking a key leadership shift within the regional financial institution.
Murangwa succeeds Uganda’s Matia Kasaija, who has chaired the Governing Council since March 2015. The announcement was made during the EADB Governing Council meeting held in Kampala, Uganda, on May 8, 2026.
His appointment comes at a time when the bank is intensifying efforts to expand development financing across East Africa, with a stronger focus on youth- and women-led enterprises and private sector growth.
During the same meeting, EADB launched a $13 million fund designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those owned by young entrepreneurs and women. The fund is expected to improve access to finance and strengthen inclusive economic participation across member states.
The East African Development Bank is a key regional development finance institution under the framework of the East African Community (EAC). It plays a central role in financing infrastructure development, industrial expansion, and private sector investments across the region.
Its operations include long-term financing for infrastructure projects, short- to medium-term credit for industrial and trade development, and equity investments in strategic enterprises. The bank also works with national financial institutions, including the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), to extend credit facilities to SMEs, with a particular emphasis on women and youth entrepreneurs.
As Governing Council Chairperson, Murangwa will oversee the bank’s strategic direction, approve long-term investment policies, and guide institutional reforms aimed at strengthening governance and operational efficiency.
The appointment reinforces Rwanda’s growing influence in regional financial governance at a time when East African economies are prioritizing investment-led growth, cross-border trade expansion, and inclusive development financing.
