About

The Minister

Murwanashyaka Damien

Minister of Infrastructure

Damien Murwanashyaka is the Minister of Infrastructure. He is also a Professional Civil Engineer and Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators with over 15 years of experience in the construction industry. He holds a Degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University, combining strong technical expertise with strategic leadership.

He has served in senior roles including CEO of UDL, Chief Quantity Surveyor at Real Contractors Ltd, Projects Manager at ROKO Construction Ltd, and consultant leadership roles at Century Engineering and Contractors Ltd and Gasabo 3D Design Ltd.

As Managing Director of Preferred Contractors, Damien continues to lead with excellence in project and cost management, driving growth and delivering value across high-profile projects.

Minister of State

Col Claudien Bizimungu

Minister of State

Col Claudien Bizimungu was appointed State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) on 10 June 2026. He is a seasoned leader with over twenty years of experience in engineering, infrastructure development, project management, and public administration across both military and civilian sectors.

Before joining Government, Col Bizimungu served as Deputy Commander of the Engineer Command of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) from 2022 to 2026, where he led the planning, coordination, and implementation of strategic engineering and infrastructure projects. Prior to this, he held the position of Deputy Commander of the Engineer Brigade from 2020 to 2022 and contributed significantly to major construction and national infrastructure initiatives.

His public service experience extends beyond military assignments. Between 2005 and 2007, he was seconded by the Ministry of Defence to the City of Kigali, where he supervised road and bridge construction projects and later served as Director of General Inspection, overseeing infrastructure project implementation and compliance.

Throughout his career, Col Bizimungu has managed and coordinated numerous infrastructure projects covering both horizontal construction, including roads and bridges, and vertical construction such as buildings and public facilities. He also contributed to corporate governance as a Board Member of Horizon Construction Ltd, Gasabo 3D Ltd, and Afriprecast Ltd.

Academically, Col Bizimungu holds a Master of Science in Hydraulic Engineering from Arba Minch University in Ethiopia and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the University of Rwanda. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).

His professional military education includes advanced leadership and command training, culminating in the Senior Command Course at the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Nyakinama.

Col Bizimungu also brings international experience in humanitarian and disaster-response operations, having participated in an engineering mission deployed to Jamaica in early 2026 to support post-cyclone infrastructure rehabilitation.

Recognized for his professionalism, leadership, and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, Col Bizimungu combines engineering expertise, strategic management, and public service experience to support Rwanda’s infrastructure transformation and national development agenda.

Minister of State

ARMAND ZINGIRO

Minister of State

Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure

On 4 September 2023, Mr. Armand Zingiro was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Energy Group (REG).

Mr. Zingiro holds an MBA in Leadership and Organizational Development from Oklahoma University. He is also an Electrical Engineer, having graduated from Tshwane University of Technology (formerly Pretoria Technikon) in South Africa.

He brings over 20 years of professional experience in the engineering sector, with strong expertise in electrical design, project management, and infrastructure development.

Prior to his appointment as CEO of REG, Mr. Zingiro served as the Managing Director of Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL) from June 2020, after previously holding the position of Director of Distribution Operations since February 2017.

Before joining EUCL, he worked for 10 years as a Division Manager at Fifth Dimension Technologies, a South African company specializing in virtual reality simulation technologies across multiple sectors including energy, mining, defence, and transport.

Throughout his career, Mr. Zingiro successfully commissioned and managed several projects across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, demonstrating extensive international experience in engineering and project implementation.

Permanent Secretary

Canoth MANISHIMWE

Permanent Secretary

Mr. Canoth Manishimwe – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure

Mr. Canoth Manishimwe was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure on 18 September 2025. He previously served as Director General of Corporate Services at the same Ministry, a position he assumed on 17 July 2025, after holding the same role at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) from January 2024.

Mr. Manishimwe began his professional career in 2007 as a support staff member at Kigali International Airport under a clearing agency. From 2009 to 2012, he worked as an accountant at Bakri International Energy Company (Rwanda), where he gained foundational experience in financial operations and compliance in the energy sector.

In 2013, he joined Cogebank as a Senior Internal Auditor, a role he held until 2018. During this period, he also assumed management control responsibilities (2018–2019), contributing to profitability analysis, risk auditing, and operational efficiency.

In 2019, Mr. Manishimwe transitioned to the education sector, serving as a Financial Management Specialist at the Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) at University of Rwanda until early 2023. In this capacity, he contributed to donor-funded project management supported by KfW, the World Bank, SIDA (The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), the EU, and USAID....

In March 2023, he joined the Ministry of Environment as a Budget and Financial Management Expert for the World Bank–funded Volcano Community Resilience Project. His contributions included project design, development of financial reporting tools, preparation of the project implementation manual, and oversight of SPIU project management funded by partners such as the GCF and the World Bank.

In January 2024, he was appointed Director General of Corporate Services at MINAGRI, a role he held until his transition to MININFRA in July 2025.

Mr. Manishimwe is a qualified accountant and a member of both the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (iCPAR) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the UK. He holds a letter of equivalence certifying his ACCA qualification as academically comparable to a UK Master’s degree. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from the Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from the University of Rwanda.

Beyond his professional career, Mr. Manishimwe has contributed to governance in various capacities, including Chairman of the Tender Committee at SACCO Kinyinya and Vice Chairman of the Audit Committee at the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC).

A dynamic leader and dedicated team player, Mr. Manishimwe is passionate about institutional growth and deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of professionals in Rwanda’s public service.

Ministry Officials