Kigali, August 1, 2023, Rwanda Press – Former Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana, was on Monday appointed Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialised agency of the United Nations that works to address poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.
Former Minister Mukeshimana, who served nearly nine years at the country’s Agriculture Ministry, replaced German Dominik Ziller.
“I am pleased to announce that after a very robust recruitment process, including an external panel review, I have appointed Ms Gérardine Mukeshimana, a national of Rwanda, as Vice-President,” said IFAD President Alvaro Lario, in a statement.
According to the statement, Mukeshimana will come on board (in IFAD) on August 28, 2023.
Founded in 1977, IFAD proves loans at concessional rates or grants as well as advisory services. The organization currently operates in 96 countries with about 210 measures, reaching about 123 million people.
Since 1978, it has provided $23.2 billion in grants and low-interest loans. With 177 Member States, IFAD supports the fight against the causes of displacement and advocates for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, in particular, sustainable poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) reduction where the main focus is on the African continent.
Mukeshimana, 53, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and Horticulture from the University of Rwanda, a Master’s Degree, and a doctorate in Plant breeding and Genetics – Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University (USA).
