Gérardine Mukeshimana is Vice-President of IFAD. She has extensive knowledge of and networks in agricultural and rural development, including with other multilateral development banks and climate funds. With her strong technical experience, she contributes to IFAD’s strategic direction and operational performance. Mukeshimana has direct oversight of IFAD’s budget, quality assurance, change management and innovation.

Prior to her appointment, Mukeshimana served as the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources for Rwanda for almost a decade. During this time, the agricultural sector continued to grow and benefit from remarkable transformation. Among her accomplishments, Mukeshimana was able to attract private sector interest in agri-business and pioneered the use of climate funds for agriculture.

Mukeshimana has held various positions, including as a Post-Doctoral Molecular Biology Scientist for the International Livestock Research Institute, Post-Doctoral Scientist in Genomics at the Michigan State University and as a lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture at the National University of Rwanda.  Mukeshimana was also National Project Coordinator for the World Bank’s Rural Sector Support programme in Rwanda.

Mukeshimana has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the National University of Rwanda and a Master’s degree and a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics, Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University.