Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, was elected as the African Union Commission (AUC) Deputy Chairperson on February 06, 2021. Election of the AU Commission Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson by the Assembly is conducted by secret ballot and a two-thirds majority of Member States who are eligible to vote. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa who secured the majority of votes in a highly contested position which saw two other female candidates vying for the post, becomes the first female to occupy this position which was formerly occupied by Mr. KwesiThomas Quartey, a Ghanaian. Aside being the first female AUC Deputy Chairperson, there are other interesting facts about Dr. Nsanzabaganwa you also need to know.

1. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa is from Rwanda

It is fascinating to know that the just elected AUC Deputy Chairperson is Rwandan and was born in Rwanda around 1971, she attended Rwandan schools prior to her University education. In 2011-2021, Dr. Nsanzabaganwa served as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Rwanda.

1. She is an Economist

The AUC Deputy Chairperson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, from the National University of Rwanda, she earned her Masters of Arts in Economics and Doctor of Philosophy in Economics at the University of Stellenbosch, which is the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest existing university in Sub-Saharan Africa, a University which received full university status in 1918.

1. The Deputy Chairperson worked as a University Lecturer and Minister

Following her graduate studies abroad, she returned to Rwanda and worked as a lecturer in economics at the National University of Rwanda, from 1999 until 2003. Between 2003 and 2008, she served as the Minister of State responsible for Economic Planning in the Rwanda Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. From 2008 until 2011 she was the Minister of Trade and Industry in the Rwandan cabinet.

1. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa is a leader with great zeal and passion

As state Minister for Economic Planning, Dr. MoniqueNsanzabaganwa is credited with creating a stronger statistical and planning system nationally and at local levels. She was a leader of the drive to establish the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda. She is also credited with leading the efforts to set upthe legal framework and policy guidelines for microfinance in Rwanda.

1. She is married to TheogeneBangwanubusa and she is a mother of three children

Dr. Nsanzabaganwa gave birth to two of her children within two years of her Masters Degree program at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

1. She is a fellow of different organizations

She is a member of the African Leaders Network, a Fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN), a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative (ALI) East Africa and a Fellow of the John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Education in Public Financial Management. She has served as the chairperson of the board of directors of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, since 2012.

Looking at her various milestones, a lot is being expected of Dr. Nsanzabaganwa by Africans and the world at large as regards her new position. CEOAFRICA will keep a tab on this great woman of substance and await new innovations that will be brought to the table by her.