Prudence Sebahizi
Prudence Sebahizi (born March 1, 1978) is a Rwandan economist and politician who used to compete in handball. Since August 2024, they serve as Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry. Before becoming minister, Sebahizi led Institutional Matters and Programme Coordination at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra, Ghana (November 2022–August 2024).
Born in Gicumbi, Rwanda, Sebahizi earned a BSc in economics from the National University of Rwanda and an MSc in International Development Policy from Seoul National University in 2011.
In the early 2000s, they worked for the Government of Rwanda on trade and regional integration. They were Rwanda’s Chief Negotiator for the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol and helped Rwanda join the EAC in 2006. From 2012 to 2014, they coordinated efforts with EACSOF (the East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum) and advised on Rwanda’s regional integration plans, including the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS).
Sebahizi joined the African Union Commission in 2015 to support AfCFTA work and became the Chief Technical Advisor on AfCFTA and head of the AfCFTA Unit/Interim Secretariat in August 2016.
On August 14, 2024, President Paul Kagame appointed Sebahizi as Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, succeeding Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze. They have represented Rwanda at events such as the COMESA summit in October 2024 and the China International Import Expo in November 2024, promoting regional and international trade. Their trade agenda focuses on removing non-tariff barriers and improving trade processes, including Rwanda’s NTB elimination strategy for 2025–2030.
Sebahizi also has a strong background in sports administration, having played handball at the National University of Rwanda and later leading in the Rwanda Handball Association (secretary 2004–2005; resources manager 2005–2008; president 2008–2010).
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 23:04 (CET).