Rwanda's central bank governor Claver Gatete was named finance minister in a direct swap with his predecessor, and said on Tuesday he had no plans for a major shift in macroeconomic policy.
Gatete was credited with overseeing a period of relative monetary stability during his almost two years at the head of the central bank at a time inflation soared and currencies slumped in east Africa's biggest economies like Kenya.
Economic analysts said he was considered a "safe pair of hands".
"The reshuffle is unlikely to have more than a marginal effect on economic policy," said Mark Bohlund, senior economist for sub-Saharan Africa at IHS Global Insight.
"The most immediate priorities for Gatete will be how to reduce the impact from budget support suspensions and guiding Rwanda to a sovereign bond issue."
Donors last year suspended or delayed aid worth tens of millions of dollars over allegations Kigali was backing a rebellion in neighbouring eastern Democratic of Congo.
Earlier this month, Gatete made a preliminary forecast the country's economic growth would slow to 7.1 percent in 2013, lower than previously predicted and below a targeted 8 percent.
The aid freeze has complicated Rwanda's plans for a sovereign bond aimed at raising $350 million. An issuance was planned for late last year, but this was put off due to the negative publicity over the aid suspension.
Rwanda's economy grew 7.7 percent in 2012, outperforming Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Macroeconomic policy would be "a continuation of what has been achieved", Gatete told Reuters.
Rwanda has repeatedly rejected allegations made by U.N. experts that senior Kigali officials have created, equipped, trained and directly commanded the M23 rebel movement which last month briefly seized the eastern Congolese city of Goma.
Source :globalpost.com
