Find out more about our team members below
Management Team
Christian Salifou
Chief Executive Officer / Managing DirectorChristian Salifou
Chief Executive Officer / Managing DirectorMr. Christian is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Asa International (Rwanda) Plc Since September 2024. He joined the institution with over a decade of experience in the Rwandan financial sector where he held several senior executive positions. Before his appointment, he served as the Group Head Wholesale Banking in Access Bank (Rwanda) Plc a Nigerian based Commercial Bank. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of BeneFactors Ltd a regulated non-deposit taking financial institution in Rwanda. He has also occupied several managerial role in various international financial institutions: I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, Bank of Africa (Rwanda) Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank (Rwanda) Plc. He is multilingual with strong interpersonal skills and has developed expertise in operations, digital banking, product development, driving sales, managing relationships, and business development.
Md. Golam Mostofa
Deputy Managing DirectorMd. Golam Mostofa
Deputy Managing DirectorMr. Mostofa has served as Deputy Managing Director from 2021, having previously been Operations Manager from 2018. He has been working in Rwanda since 2016. Mr. Mostofa has over 15 years of experience in the microfinance industry. As a principal consultant he has served one year in Grooming Integrated Global services limited, a Nigeria based microfinance institution. Previously he held different positions in the field atASA Bangladesh, such as District Officer, Regional Manager, and District Manager. Mr. Mostofa obtained his master’s degree in Social Science from Chittagong University of Bangladesh.
Jean Claude Hagenimana
Chief Financial OfficerJean Claude Hagenimana
Chief Financial OfficerMr. Hagenimana joined ASA Microfinance (Rwanda) Plc in December 2020 as Chief Financial Officer. Before joining ASA Rwanda, he worked at PwC Rwanda Limited as Senior Associate Auditor and at Ernest & Young as Junior Auditor. Mr. Hagenimana has extensive experience and expertise in the following areas: Auditing commercial banks, insurance companies and consumer companies; IT controls review; tax advisory services; and financial reporting. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Rwanda and is also finalizing a Master’s of Science in Finance from the University of Kigali. He also holds a CPA and is a member of ICPAR.
Fred Mugisha
Head Legal & Company SecretaryFred Mugisha
Head Legal & Company SecretaryMr. MUGISHA Fred joined ASA International Rwanda Plc in April, 2023. He has Bachelors’ Degree of Law (LLB) and Diploma in Legal Practice (DLP). Currently he is pursuing his Master’s degree in International Business Law (LLM) from University of Rwanda. He has 5 years of experience in Legal, Governance, Corporate Advisories, as well as Financial Sector. He worked for Munana Group Investor Ltd as Legal Officer and Company Secretary (2016-2020), He worked with Urwego Bank as SME Officer (2021-2022), Currently he is Head Legal and Company Secretary at ASA International (Rwanda) Plc. He possess certifications in Data Protection & Privacy Law, Contract Management, and Governance & Leadership.
Marie Assumpta Muhimpundu
Head of Internal AuditMarie Assumpta Muhimpundu
Head of Internal AuditMrs. Marie Assumpta MUHIMPUNDU joined ASA International (Rwanda) Plc in July 2024 as Head of Internal Audit. She has experience of 5 years in External Audit and 8 years in Internal Audit from DP Auditors &Consultants and Office of the Ombudsman respectively. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Sciences from the former National University of Rwanda and she is Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Abraham Imanishimwe
Head of HR & AdministrationAbraham Imanishimwe
Head of HR & AdministrationMr. Imanishimwe Abraham joined ASA International Rwanda on 12th September 2022, having previously been employed as Human Resource Officer for more than 7 years at different Hospitals (Kibogora, Rwinkwavu, and Gahini District Hospital) and as Secretary of Kibogora District Hospital for over 5 years. He has been chairperson of the Board of Director in African Community Sustainability Develop for 2 years. Experienced in Human Resource Management and Administration, he has skills in HR software such as IPPIS and iHRIS. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Kampala International University in Uganda,
Theoneste Iyakaremye
Head of OperationTheoneste Iyakaremye
Head of OperationMr. Iyakaremye is the Head of operations, a position he has held since June, 2024. Prior to that, he was head of the Internal Audit department, having joined the company in 2021. Prior to joining ASA Rwanda, he worked at Equity bank (Rwanda) Plc as the senior internal auditor for 9 years. He has also worked in Operations, occupying positions as senior relationships agency and merchant operations. Mr. Iyakaremye holds a masters’ degree of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance from the Mount Kenya University, and he is currently pursuing his CPA (Certified Public Accountants). He has undergone a series of training mainly in risk management, operational risk assessment, regulatory compliance and he is a certified internal controller.
Philbert Mfashingabo
Head of ITPhilbert Mfashingabo
Head of ITMr. Mfashingabo joined ASA International (Rwanda) Plc as Head of IT in September 2024. With 8 years of experience in IT, he has expertise in project management, network administration, escalation support, troubleshooting, and client/vendor relations within enterprise environments. Prior to this, he worked at LAN/WAN Professional in California, where he held roles as a LAN/WAN Engineer and Technical Project Lead. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oklahoma Christian University and multiple Cisco certifications, including CCNP Routing and Switching, CCDP, and various CCNA specializations.
Jovial Bazizane
Risk & Complaince ManagerJovial Bazizane
Risk & Complaince ManagerJovial Joined ASAI Rwanda Plc in June 2024.Prior to joining ASA Rwanda, she worked at Equity Bank (Rwanda) Plc as senior officer Risk and Compliance, for 10 years. She has also worked in Operations occupying senior relationship positions like Card Issuance, International Banking and Cross Boarder Payments. Mrs. Bazizane holds a bachelors’ degree in Business Administration specializing in Accounting from University of Rwanda. Currently she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Project Management (MBA) from University of Kigali. She has certifications in Enterprise Risk Management Framework for Risk Leaders & Operational risk management.
Board of Directors
Azim Hossain
Azim Hossain
Azim Hossain assumed the role of Chief of Operations ('CO') of ASA International in July 2023, having served as the Group's Director of Investment, Treasury and Risk Management since 2005. Mr Hossain has over 34 years of experience in the microfinance industry, having worked for 20 years at ASA NGO Bangladesh, where he held various positions including Director of Finance & MIS and Senior Finance Professional. At ASA Bangladesh, Mr Hossain established the finance and MIS systems, was involved in the development and design of the AMMS, assisted in the establishment of risk management frameworks and was in charge of the NGO Partnership Programme, providing technical and financial assistance to microfinance institutions. He has also worked with the UNDP MicroStart programme in the Philippines and Nigeria, where he was responsible for development, products and services, financial management, performance analysis and business planning.
Christian Salifou
Christian Salifou
Christian Salifou is an ex-officio member of the Board of ASA Rwanda by virtue of his position as Managing Director / CEO.
Nzamwita Kagwesage Adelaide
Nzamwita Kagwesage Adelaide
Mrs. Adelaide has twenty-five years (1996 – 2020) experience of developing and successfully implementing monetary policy processes as well as in project management for governmental development programmes from various donors such as the World Bank, IFAD, AFD and other bilateral organisations.