Overview

Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), in partnership with the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), is recruiting a Head of Technology for the Rwanda Center for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This is a high-level strategic technology leadership role focused on building and safeguarding Rwanda’s national digital public infrastructure ecosystem.

The Rwanda DPI Center was established in 2025 under the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) to coordinate the design, implementation, and scaling of foundational digital infrastructure systems that support Rwanda’s digital economy and public service ecosystem.

The Center serves two major mandates:

• Building Rwanda’s foundational Digital Public Infrastructure stack
• Operating as Africa’s Center of Excellence for Instant and Inclusive Payment Systems

The institution’s portfolio spans multiple strategic digital infrastructure domains, including:

• Instant payment systems
• Digital identity systems
• Data exchange and consent frameworks
• Cross-border digital trade systems
• Sector-specific digital public infrastructure initiatives

The Head of Technology will serve as the lead architect and technical guardian of Rwanda’s national DPI stack, ensuring that the country’s digital infrastructure remains:

• Modular
• Interoperable
• Sovereign
• Vendor-neutral
• Scalable and secure

This opportunity is particularly suitable for senior professionals working in:

• GovTech
• FinTech
• Digital infrastructure
• National-scale software architecture
• Interoperability systems
• Digital identity ecosystems
• Public sector technology transformation

For candidates searching for senior technology jobs in Rwanda, digital infrastructure leadership roles, GovTech careers, or national systems architecture opportunities, this role offers rare strategic exposure at the center of Rwanda’s digital transformation agenda.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is increasingly becoming the foundation of modern digital economies and public service delivery systems worldwide.

The Rwanda DPI Center represents a strategic national investment in technologies that enable:

• Inclusive financial systems
• Secure digital identity frameworks
• Interoperable public services
• Cross-border digital transactions
• Scalable national digital ecosystems

The Head of Technology role is critical because it directly influences how Rwanda designs and governs the core digital systems that millions of citizens and institutions may rely on in the future.

This opportunity offers exposure to highly advanced and globally relevant technology domains, including:

• Open-source digital public goods
• Real-time payment systems
• API architecture
• National interoperability frameworks
• Data exchange standards
• Digital sovereignty systems

The position also involves collaboration with:

• Government institutions
• International technology communities
• Multilateral and philanthropic partners
• Private sector stakeholders
• National and international developers

Another major aspect of the role is ensuring that Rwanda’s DPI architecture avoids vendor lock-in while maintaining flexibility, interoperability, and sustainability.

Professionals working in this field contribute directly to national digital transformation and public-sector innovation.

The role also offers visibility within global DPI and GovTech ecosystems, especially through interaction with internationally recognized technologies such as:

• Mojaloop
• MOSIP
• X-Road

For experienced technology leaders interested in designing national-scale systems with long-term societal impact, this is an exceptionally strategic opportunity.

Application Tips

Candidates applying for executive technology leadership roles should focus on demonstrating deep technical architecture expertise, systems leadership, and experience managing complex digital ecosystems.

Highlight National-Scale Technology Experience

Your CV should clearly demonstrate experience involving:

• Large-scale distributed systems
• Government digital systems
• National infrastructure platforms
• Payment systems
• Identity or interoperability frameworks

Experience deploying systems used by millions of users is especially valuable.

Showcase DPI & Open-Source Knowledge

Strong candidates should demonstrate familiarity with:

• Digital Public Infrastructure concepts
• Digital Public Goods (DPGs)
• Open-source ecosystems
• API interoperability frameworks
• Vendor-neutral architecture models

Mention specific technologies or standards where applicable.

Demonstrate Technical Leadership

Applicants should clearly show:

• Technical team leadership experience
• Architecture governance capability
• Mentorship and engineering management
• Stakeholder coordination skills

The role requires both strategic and hands-on leadership.

Highlight Documentation & Standards Experience

This role involves establishing technical standards and implementation frameworks. Strong candidates should showcase:

• Technical specification writing
• Architecture documentation
• Standards development
• Public-facing technical publications

Tailor Your Cover Letter Carefully

The cover letter should explain:

• Why national digital infrastructure matters to you
• Your experience with scalable public systems
• Your approach to interoperability and sovereignty
• Relevant achievements in GovTech or FinTech environments

Responsibilities

The Head of Technology will oversee the design, governance, and technical implementation of Rwanda’s national DPI architecture.

National DPI Architecture & Sovereignty

• Lead definition, development, deployment, and adoption of Rwanda’s DPI stack
• Establish national DPI standards and technical documentation
• Develop implementation manuals and technical resources for institutions and ministries
• Ensure interoperability and alignment across implementing agencies

This work supports national digital sovereignty and infrastructure consistency.

Technical Infrastructure & Demonstration Systems

• Manage technological components of the DPI demonstration environment
• Oversee:
  • Real-time transaction integrations
  • Live dashboards
  • Data systems
  • Screen and monitoring infrastructure
• Maintain a 99.9% uptime standard for demonstration systems

Reliable infrastructure supports stakeholder trust and operational continuity.

Strategic Leadership & Technical Representation

• Lead and mentor high-performing technical teams
• Provide architecture guidance for national DPI initiatives
• Represent the Center in technical forums and strategic engagements
• Provide technical expertise across all programmes

Leadership is central to maintaining technical quality and strategic alignment.

Technology Governance & Advisory Support

• Maintain a technology-agnostic approach to architecture decisions
• Recommend modular and scalable technical solutions
• Ensure systems remain secure, resilient, and vendor-neutral

This approach supports sustainability and long-term adaptability.

Requirements

Education

Applicants must possess:

• Bachelor’s degree in:
  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Information Systems
  • Or related field

Preferred Qualification

• Master’s degree in related technical field is considered a strong asset

Experience

Candidates should have:

• Minimum 8 years of deep technical experience in:
  • Large-scale system design
  • FinTech
  • GovTech
  • Identity systems
  • Interoperability systems

Technical Expertise

Strong candidates should demonstrate:

• Deep knowledge of:
  • Open-source technologies
  • Digital Public Goods (DPGs)
  • Global payment standards
  • Identity and interoperability systems

Examples include:

• Mojaloop
• MOSIP
• X-Road

Leadership Experience

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience leading technical teams
• Experience deploying and maintaining national-scale systems
• Architecture governance capability

Communication & Collaboration Skills

Candidates should demonstrate ability to:

• Work across government and private sector institutions
• Coordinate with international technical communities
• Produce technical documentation suitable for public release

Language Skills

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Fluency in English

French or Kinyarwanda is considered an asset.

Strong Additional Assets

Experience involving:

• Instant and Inclusive Payment Systems (IIPS)
• Digital wallet ecosystems
• API marketplace architecture
• DPI sandbox environments
• Rwanda’s technology ecosystem

is considered highly advantageous.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official AFR recruitment portal:

Apply for Head of Technology Position

Required Application Documents

Applicants should submit:

• Resume/CV including:
  • Qualifications
  • Experience
  • Achievements
  • Contact information
  • Three professional referees
• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining suitability for the role

Important Notes

• Do not attach additional documents at this stage
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• The position is open to candidates legally eligible to work in Rwanda

Application Deadline

29 May 2026 at 5:00 PM CAT

Contact for Inquiries

HumanResources@afr.rw