BACKGROUND

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) is an autonomous body established by LAW N°38/2010 OF 25/11/2010 and Currently, RAB is governed by Presidential Order N° 074/01 OF 09/12/2022 Governing Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), determining its mission, organization, and functioning. The law specifies that: The mission of RAB is to develop agriculture and animal resources through research, agricultural extension and animal resources extension in order to increase agricultural and animal resources productivity and quality, as well as their derived products.

Email:
info@rab.gov.rw

Toll free:
4675

Mobile:
+250788385312

Address:
Rwanda - Sothern Province, Huye District.

P.O.Box:
5016 Huye - Rwanda

This expectation premises on: physical proximity under one administrative structure, using a common standard operating procedure,  which removes institutional boundaries by improving communication, mutual understanding and consensus building between extension, research and policy.
The research-extension-policy nexus is critical for intensifying the focus and increasing the relevance of research and extension to pertinent issues required for acceptable levels of agricultural sector growth and contribution of the sector to overall socioeconomic development process in Rwanda.

Vision : Improved food security and livelihoods of all Rwandans by transforming agriculture from subsistence into modern farming through generating research and extension innovations that generate sustainable crop, animal husbandry and natural resource management.

Mission: The mission of RAB is to develop agriculture and animal resources through research, agricultural extension and animal resources extension in order to increase agricultural and animal resources productivity and quality, as well as their derived products.

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro

Ag Director General

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro is the Ag Director General.  Prior to this position, she served as  Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture Development, Acting Director of Research and Innovation for 2.5 years and Lecturer at the University of Rwanda-College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UR-CAVM). 

She has been working for the University of Rwanda since 2012.  Florence is a researcher with interests in all aspects of plant health including plant disease epidemiology, plant-pathogen interactions, biology of the plant pathogens and integrated pest management. She has been involved in different interdisciplinary research projects. 

She has a PhD in Biology with specialisation in Plant Pathology from The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), an MSc degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Bangalore in India, and a BSc degree in Crop Production and Horticulture from the former National University of Rwanda.

Mrs Clarisse UMUTONI

Chief Finance Officer

Clarisse is a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years of diverse experience in financial management, accounting, auditing and strategic leadership across multiple sectors. Currently serving as the Chief Finance Officer at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the financial sustainability and growth of the organization.

With qualifications including a Master of Arts in Finance and Economics, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Investment Professional (CISI), and Certified Public Finance Management Accountant (CPFMA), Clarisse brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her leadership has been instrumental in managing budgets, driving financial efficiencies, and maintaining the financial integrity of RAB.

Prior to her current role, Clarisse held key positions in various sectors, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), where she served as Director of Finance & Administration. During her tenure, she successfully managed multi-million-franc budgets and played a critical role in overseeing financial management strategies for donor-funded projects.

Clarisse also brings valuable experience from her time in the Capital Market Authority, where she served as Finance and Administration Manager, and from her roles in the banking sector, including positions at prominent financial institutions (I&M Bank and BPR). Her diverse background has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of financial markets, regulatory frameworks, and risk management practices.

Beyond her professional roles, Clarisse is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR), where she has served as a member of the Governing Council and currently contributes as a member of the Disciplinary Commission. Her commitment to promoting ethical practices and advancing the accounting profession reflects her dedication to excellence and integrity.

Driven by a passion for excellence and a commitment to driving positive change, Clarisse continues to make significant contributions to RAB's mission of promoting sustainable agriculture and economic development in Rwanda.

Best employee of the Year 2025/26

Mr. MUNYESHYAKA Jean Damascene

Land Survey and GIS Specialist | Acting Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, RAB-SPIU)

Mr. MUNYESHYAKA Jean Damascene is a highly accomplished Land Survey and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expert with more than 14 years of experience in geospatial technologies, land surveying, monitoring and evaluation, natural resource management, and agricultural development.

He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Geo-Information Science for Environment and Sustainable Development from the University of Rwanda (2016). He also earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geography, specializing in Environmental Management, from the former National University of Rwanda, graduating with Second Class Honors, Upper Division (Distinction) in 2012.

As a Land Survey and GIS Specialist at SPIU-RAB, Mr. MUNYESHYAKA has played a pivotal role in promoting the use of Geographic Information Systems for capturing, storing, analysing, managing, and visualizing spatial data. Through the integration of maps and databases, he has supported evidence-based decision-making by identifying spatial patterns, relationships, and trends that enhance project planning and implementation.

He has been instrumental in the implementation of the Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS), which utilizes smartphones and tablets for digital data collection and geo-tagged project monitoring. This innovative approach has significantly strengthened planning, remote supervision, monitoring and evaluation, and geo-mapping of project interventions across SPIU-RAB projects.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. MUNYESHYAKA has contributed to programs focused on land conservation, sustainable natural resource management, environmental protection, climate change mainstreaming, soil erosion control, water resources management, and environmental mitigation measures. His work has been supported by robust monitoring and evaluation systems that effectively track project performance and achievements.

His professional experience includes over 14 years of service as a Land Survey and GIS Specialist in World Bank- and KOICA-funded projects under RAB. In 2025, he also served as National GIS Specialist with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), contributing to the mapping of irrigation potential sites in Rwanda and supporting feasibility studies. As additional responsibility, he currently serves as Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at SPIU-RAB.

Mr. MUNYESHYAKA has made significant contributions to the development of spatial data collection, management, and analysis systems within SPIU-RAB. He has participated in numerous national and international conferences, workshops, and stakeholder engagements related to geospatial technologies and sustainable development.

His research interests include environmental and natural resource management, climate change impacts on agricultural production and food security, and the application of GIS technologies in the agricultural sector. He is conducted research is “Assessing the Socio-economic Vulnerability of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Variability in Rwanda,” supported through the Sweden Programme for Research, Higher Education and Institutional Advancement.

In recognition of his outstanding performance, professionalism, innovation, and dedication to service delivery, Mr. MUNYESHYAKA Jean Damascene was awarded Best Employee of the Year 2025–2026 by RAB.