The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) has officially appointed Philibert Afrika, one of Rwanda’s most distinguished economists and development specialists, to its prestigious International Governing Board (IGB). This appointment reflects AIMS’ commitment to harnessing Africa’s top-tier leadership to advance science, technology, and innovation across the continent. AIMS is a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence dedicated to postgraduate training, research, and public engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Established in 2003 in South Africa by renowned physicist Prof. Neil Turok and later expanded to Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda, AIMS is at the forefront of Africa’s socio-economic transformation through innovative scientific training, technological advancement, and science-driven public dialogue. With a strong focus on empowering Africa’s youth, AIMS offers rigorous master’s programmes, including the African Master’s in Machine Intelligence (AMMI), as well as co-operative tracks that link academia to industry, while advancing research through a network of over 100 scientists. Key initiatives such as Quantum Leap Africa and the Next Einstein Forum further position AIMS as a catalyst for Africa’s emergence as a global scientific leader. The appointment was confirmed in an official letter signed by Professor Neil Turok, founder of AIMS and Chair of the AIMS International Governing Board. In his letter, Professor Turok praised Afrika’s vast experience and leadership, noting that his expertise would be invaluable as the board steers AIMS towards its mission of creating opportunities for young African scientists and innovators. Afrika joins a distinguished list of global and continental leaders on the IGB, including Charles Boamah (former Senior Vice President, African Development Bank), Prof. Thuli Madonsela (Chair of Law and Social Justice, Stellenbosch University), and Serena Lefort (former Chair of Quantum Valley Ideas Lab, Canada), among others. A career development economist, Afrika boasts over three decades of high-level experience with the African Development Bank (AfDB), where he served in several top roles, including Secretary General, Director of Policy and Resource Mobilization, Director of NEPAD and Regional Integration, and Director of Country Operations. Since retiring from the AfDB in 2009, Afrika has remained a central figure in Rwanda’s development landscape. Currently, he serves as a co-founding member and Chairman of the Board of the University of Kigali, one of the biggest private Universities in Rwanda, and also heads the university’s Centre for Economic Governance and Leadership, a hub for professional training and consulting in areas such as governance, public financial management, and policy development. He also brings a wealth of boardroom experience from previous roles with Cogebanque Rwanda, Access Bank Rwanda, and the West African Development Bank (BOAD). Afrika’s appointment marks yet another milestone in his illustrious career and underscores the increasing recognition of Rwanda’s intellectual leadership on the global stage. Speaking on the appointment, Afrika expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm, stating, “It is an honour to contribute to AIMS' inspiring mission of empowering Africa’s brightest minds through science and education.” The next AIMS International Governing Board meeting is scheduled to take place online, with the following in-person Annual General Meeting planned for early 2026 in Kigali, a momentous occasion that will symbolically reaffirm Rwanda’s pivotal role in shaping Africa’s scientific future.
