Col. (Rtd) Eugene Haguma

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Eugene holds a MSc in Financial Management from the University of London and a B. Com (Marketing) degree from Makerere University-Kampala. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder and is a Certified Sustainable Investment Professional from John Molson Business School Concordia University, Canada. Eugene has served in leadership positions in both the Public Sector and the Private Sector. He was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence in Rwanda from 2002-2005 before being posted as Defence Attaché to the Republic of South Africa from 2005-2010. He joined Horizon Group Rwanda as CEO from 2010 until 2018. Eugene is currently serving as the CEO of Prime Insurance Limited in Rwanda.

Hannington Namara

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Hannington is the Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda. He holds a degree in Business Administration (Finance option) from Makerere University Business School, a graduate of Advanced Management Programme from Strathmore Business School. He is a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative-East Africa and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. He has over 19 years work experience in banking and Private Sector Development with extensive knowledge and a track record in Strategic Leadership, Banking and Finance, Management and Communications. He has held various leadership positions while working with different reputable organizations in the past including Trademark East Africa, Rwanda Private Sector Federation, Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR), Rwanda Investment Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA-now known as Rwanda Development Board). He holds several positions of responsibility in Boards of corporates and parastatals. He is the current Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Rwanda Bankers' Association. 

BELINDA BWIZA

Non-Executive Director

Belinda is a seasoned professional with over 16 years of experience in various sectors, including social enterprise, financial services, project management, business development, policy, and retail.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and furthered her education with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). She also holds a Certified Management Accountant designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CMA, CPA). Currently, she is serving as the Chief Executive Officer at One Acre Fund Rwanda.

Dr. Patrick Uwizeye

Non-executive Director

Patrick holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from Heriot Watt University, UK, a Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Planning from the same university, an MBA in Financial Management from the University of Hull, UK, and a Masters in Communications Management (MCM) from Coventry University, UK. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of both the Institutes of CPA Rwanda and Kenya, a Certified Member of the Institute of Risk Management (CMIRM), UK, and an Associate member of the Kenya Institute of Management.

Patrick has over 28 years of working experience in business management and has worked for MTN Rwanda and AACC Nairobi. Dr. Patrick currently serves as the Managing Director of BPU Consulting Ltd, a company he founded more than seven years ago.

Amb. George Kayonga

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Amb. George holds a master’s degree in diplomacy and international studies and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance. He is an Independent Trade and Development Consultant and a Member of the Advisory Council of One Acre Fund. He has 16 years of experience in the Public Service, serving as High Commissioner of Rwanda to Kenya, Non-Resident Ambassador to Somalia, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to UNEP and UN-HABITAT, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of East African Community, and CEO of the National Agricultural Export Development Board. Additionally, he has 12 years of experience in the private sector, managing his own supply chain and logistics companies.

Andrew Rugege

Non-Executive Director

Eng. Andrew Rugege is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of global, regional, and national experience in business strategy, project planning, risk management, and the definition of scope for strategic enterprise-wide projects. He has a proven track record of implementing infrastructure improvements, fostering innovation, and running successful institutions.

Rugege has a Master's degree in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration from Morist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, and a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, UK.

Rugege has vast experience in Information Technology management and has worked at the International Telecommunication Union (Addis Ababa) as Regional Director of Africa representative to the African Union and UNECA for 10 years before he retired. He also worked at MTN as Chief Operating Officer for 5 years and at Airtel Communication SARL as Chief Executive Officer for three years.

CAMILLE KARAMAGA

Non-Executive Director

Camille holds holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Maastricht School of Management MsM of The Netherlands, Undergraduate degree in B Com (from Makerere University, and Post Graduate Diploma in Tax Administration obtained from the Institute of Finance Management in Dar es Salaam. He is an accomplished executive with over 35 years of economic development and financial governance experience.

He has served as a governance and public financial management expert in the African Development Bank (AFDB) designing public sector operations including general and sector budget support operations, institutional support projects, technical assistance and training, supporting generation of knowledge products as well portfolio management.

Emmanuel Muragijimana

Non-Executive Director

Emmanuel is a seasoned legal professional with over 20 years of experience in providing legal advice and ensuring organizational compliance. He has held various positions including Legal Officer at the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, Head Legal and Company Secretary at Ecobank Rwanda Limited, and Advisor to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in the Rwandan Parliament. With eight years in the banking sector and extensive parliamentary experience, Emmanuel is adept at legal advisory, drafting, corporate governance, compliance, project finance, and business combinations. He currently serves as a Transaction and Corporate Lawyer at K-Solutions & Partners Law Firm, specializing in legal due diligence, project finance, corporate governance, and organization restructuring.

Jean-Claude (JC) Nkulikiyimfura

Non-Executive Director

Jean Claude is an accomplished business professional with over two decades of experience in marketing, government, and corporate communication. He holds a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Kwazulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Arkansas, USA, and an International Baccalaureate from Lycee Sainte Croix Des Neiges in France.

Recipient of the 2019 Global Impact Award, Jean Claude currently serves as the Executive Director at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV), where he has forged global partnerships and launched a USD 20 million endowment fund for sustainability. His previous roles include General Manager at Saatchi & Saatchi, Founder and Managing Partner of XL Com, and official representative for Draka Comteq and SIMED International. Prior to his corporate ventures, he worked in communication roles within the Office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda.

Arlette Rwakazina

Non-Executive Director

Arlette Rwakazina holds a Master of Science in Communications, Control and Digital Signal Processing from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electromechanical Engineering from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology and is a certified Digital Finance Practitioner from the Digital Frontier Institute in collaboration with Tufts University.

Arlette is passionate about Digital Finance, Financial Inclusion and Digital Transformation. She is currently the Country Lead of The Rwanda Economy Digitization Program - Cenfri which is an initiative to support the public and private sector in Rwanda towards a sustained shift to an inclusive digital economy. Arlette has previously worked as General Manager Cybersecurity and Strategic Integrations at Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) in charge of cybersecurity within the utilities RURA regulates as well as emerging and innovative technologies and big data. Prior to that she worked at Ericsson as the Senior Solution Architect and Business Analyst for Mobile Financial Services where she engaged partners to design mobile money solutions that are commercially and technically viable while also ensuring there is a well operating and complaint mobile money system for telecom operators. Arlette has considerable board experience having served as a Board Member and Chairperson of the Information Technology (IT) Committee at Cogebanque

Hannington Namara

Managing Director

Hannington holds a degree in Business Administration – Finance from Makerere University Business School. He is a Fellow of the fourth class of the Africa Leadership Initiative-East Africa, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and has received various trainings in corporate banking, credit, structured finance. He has over 15 years of experience as a Senior Private Sector Development specialist. He has extensive track record in Strategy, Leadership and Programme Management, Finance and Communications. He is currently the Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda. He has held various positions while working for TradeMark East Africa – Rwanda Country Programme, Rwanda Private Sector Federation, Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR), Rwanda Investment Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA-now known as Rwanda Development Board). He holds several positions of responsibility in Boards of Parastatals and Corporates.

ADALBERT RUTAISIRE

Director of Operations

Adalbert holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Makerere University. He is currently pursuing an executive MBA from London School of International Business. He has received various international training in Banking across different functions including Operations, Corporate and Retail Banking, Operational Risk Management etc.

He also went through Management and Leadership training at the INSEAD School of Business of the World (SINGAPORE). He has more than 25 years’ experience working within the Banking industry in Africa and Middle East. He is currently the Director of Operations at Equity Bank Rwanda PLC.  Prior to this, he has worked with Standard Chartered Bank in Ghana, Uganda and Kenya.

He has a track record in Operations Management, technology and implementing Banks Innovations and digitisation strategies at country level and Shared Service Centres. He also Managed Operational Risk across Operations functions in Africa and Middle East.

Chantal Mukandoli Kayijamahe

Head of Credit Administration

Chantal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting option and has a Master’s Degree in Project Management. Prior to joining Equity Bank 8 years ago, Chantal worked at the Commercial Bank of Rwanda (now I&M) in Credit Department for more than 11 years; As an Analyst in SME and Corporate Banking, Security Perfection Manager, Personal Lending and Mortgages Manager.

DIANAH KWARISIIMA

HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Diana is a holder of a bachelor’s degree in Education with 18 years of experience in the Banking Industry.

Prior to joining Equity Bank in December 2022, she worked with I&M Bank for 16 years as a Training Officer, Employee Relations Manager and Head of HR. She, additionally, worked for Ecobank as Head of HR for a year from November 2021.

Throughout her career in the Banking sector, Diana gained immense experience in HR Strategic Management.

JEAN PAUL NGABONZIZA

HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDIT

Jean Paul holds a degree in Business Administration-Accounting Sciences from National University of Rwanda (now UR). He is ACCA certified, a member of The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) and a member The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

He has over 12 years of experience in Audit with 10 years spent in Internal audit in Banking Industry. He joined Equity Bank Rwanda Plc in April 2020 as Head of Internal Audit. He has previously worked for BPR Bank (an Atlas Mara subsidiary) for over 2.5 years as Senior Audit Manager; I&M Bank Rwanda Plc as Senior Internal Auditor for 7 years and Auditors General’s Office of Rwanda as Auditor of Public Business Enterprises for 2 years.

Carole Karema Jeni

HEAD OF IT & BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

Carole holds an MBA from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, a MIT from the University of Pretoria, a BCOM Honor’s degree for the same University, and a BA from Adventist University of Central Africa. Having lived in different countries, Carole has gained a diverse range of experiences in Telecoms, Investments, Construction, Security services, Building materials, Insurance brokerage, _as well as in Food and Beverage and Agribusiness. She is fluent In English, French, Swahili and Kinyarwanda. Her IT acumen and leadership make her a great asset of any organization she relates too.

Carole is a passionate IT specialist with nearly 20 years of experience. She has specialized herself as a Solution Architect who conceptualizes, designs and implements IT Strategies and Solutions that drive innovation, businesses efficiency and continuity in different areas of operations. She had achieved automation of different business processes, allowing companies to focus on their core businesses and concentrate on turning companies into profitable business. She has also managed and delivered various IT projects that require integration of various Vendors and Solutions following IT standards and Processes like PMP, COBIT and ITIL.

She is currently working on various digitization projects that embody cybersecurity, mobility and data analytics. She enjoys reading, travelling and innovating. She is also engaged in various benevolent causes that empower children and women. Carole is currently Head of IT at Equity Bank Rwanda where she oversees the digital transformation of the bank and runs different Business projects. Prior to that she was the Group IT Director of Crystal Ventures for 8 years and IT Project manager and Solution Architect of MTN Rwanda.

She also serves in different Boards as a Non-Executive Director.

JEAN N. BIZIMUNGU

HEAD OF RISK

Bizimungu Jean Nepomuscene holds a bachelor’s degree in Monetary economics from Former National University of Rwanda and holds an international certificate in Enterprise Risk Management from Institute of Risk Management in United Kingdom (IRM) and He is CAMs certified & ACCPA certified. He has a certificate for ICAAP and ILAAP simulation after attending the BIZENIUS ICAAP masterclass in May 2023.

Bizimungu has a certificate of competence in Risk management program. He is a member of the Institute of Institute of Risk Management UK and a member of ACAMs. He has 12 years’ experience in banking industry specifically in Risk and compliance management.

LOYCE K. BAMWINE

Head of Legal

Loyce K. Bamwine is a senior lawyer, holding a Bachelor of Laws (LLB-Hons) from the National University of Rwanda and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Utrecht University, The Netherlands. She also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal practice. She is an Associate Chartered Arbitrator (ACIArb) fully registered with Kigali International Arbitration Center (KIAC) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators-London. She is also a member of Rwanda Bar Association. She holds a Certificate in Corporate Governance from MARCUSEVANS-Singapore and she was trained in Chartered Directorship by the London Institute of Directors.

In terms of career, Loyce is senior lawyer who has served both in Public and private institutions. She is currently working as the Head of the Legal Department at Equity Bank Rwanda PLC. She previously worked at B&BS Attorneys Ltd, law firm legally incorporated in Rwanda in accordance with the Laws of Rwanda, as a Partner in charge of Advisory and litigation matters.

She specializes in Corporate and Business Law Advisory and litigations. In addition, she is currently a Board member of Ngali Holdings Ltd, where she also chairs the HR and Governance Committee; a Non-Permanent Commission at National Electoral Commission (NEC); a Board member of Rwanda Medical Supplies (RMS) Ltd; and a Member of Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission Audit Committee. Loyce has also previously served as a board member at Business Development Fund (BDF) and Kivu Marina Bay Hotel Ltd.

She previously worked as a Company Secretary and General Counsel of the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) PLC, a position she held for almost four (4) years (05/2016 – 01/2020). She also served as a Board member for the Business Development Fund (BDF) and a Board member of Kivu Marina Bay Hotel – Rusizi. Prior to joining the financial sector, Loyce served in different Government positions including as a Permanent Commissioner at Rwanda Law Reform Commission and as the Head of Legal Research and Reform Division. She also served as a Commissioner at the Constitutional Review Commission (a Commission that revised the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda in 2015).

Gaston Nsengimana

Head of Treasury

Gaston holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from University of Rwanda former School of Finance and Banking, and He holds an ACI Dealer Certificate, He is a Certified Professional Banker from the School of Excellence in Nigeria.

Prior to joining Equity Bank Rwanda PLC in October 2018, Gaston worked in Access Bank Rwanda Ltd for 7 years in various positions including Team member of Treasury from 2014 to October 2018 and Electronic business and Operations 2011 - 2013.

Joseph Mutuma

Head of Finance

Joseph holds a Master of Business Administration (Finance) degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi.

He is a Certified Public Accountant (Kenya) and member of The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR), a Certified Investments and Financial Analysts and a member of The Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (ICIFA).

Prior to joining Equity Bank Rwanda Plc, Joseph worked as a senior accountant  at Equity Bank Kenya Limited which he joined in 2009.

Alice Kirezi

Head of Investment and Social Impact

Ms. Alice KIREZI is currently the Head of Investment, and Social Impact at Equity Bank Rwanda. She was previously worked as the Financial Controller for Bugesera Airport Company, a private company responsible for managing and operating Bugesera Airport project. She worked as a lecturer and Director of University Operations at the University of Kigali, handling both academic and non-academic operations of the University.

Alice’s working history also includes National Bank of Rwanda, where she worked as a Commercial Bank’s Inspector, and worked with SPENN Rwanda-a finitech company as the Country Manager. Alice worked with Rwandair on different roles where her latest assignment was the Head of Direct Costs in Finance Department. Academically, she holds is a BA (Hons) from SFB-Rwanda, and an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University in the USA, a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) and CFA ongoing.

She serves on the Board of FAWE Rwanda as the Chairperson Audit Committee and she is also a Board Member and a trainer at African Training Centre (ATI) South Africa.

Sylvio Habineza

Head of Compliance

Mr. Sylvio HABINEZA is the Head of Compliance. He has 14+ years of financial services experience and worked for 10 years in Senior Compliance, Risk Management and Internal control positions. His knowledge cuts across compliance, fraud, operations, credit, risk management & mitigation and business process. Prior to joining Equity Bank Rwanda Plc, he was worked as the Head of Compliance in Cogebanque Plc, prior to that as the Ag, Head Conduct & Compliance and Compliance Advisor at Access Bank Rwanda.

Sylvio holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the School of Finance and Banking (SFB). He is a Certified Banker from Lagos School of Excellence, a Certified Compliance Professional by IABFM and has been exposed to several trainings in various fields.