Dr Samuel Kamugisha

Dr. Samuel Kamugisha is an industrial development scholar and a leading voice in development policy. With a career spanning over 15 years, he has dedicated his work to fostering sustainable industrial development and economic growth in Rwanda. His research on industrial development has directly influenced national strategies, earning him recognition as a key advisor to policy makers and the industrial sector. He is also a lecturer at the University of Rwanda (UR), where he teaches business-related studies in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Besides, Dr Kamugisha served as the Director General in charge of Industrial Promotion and Entrepreneurship Development at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) in Rwanda he was in charge of leading the process of policy design and formulation of strategies on industrial and entrepreneurship development; setting up mechanisms to identify key industrial development opportunities and creating a conducive environment for its development; and supporting the competitiveness of local industries and promoting locally produced products to recapture the domestic market. Dr. Kamugisha holds a PhD in Business Administration from Jönköping University in Sweden, equipping him with a unique blend of academic rigor and practical policy expertise. His research interests are mainly in industrial development focusing on new venture processes, survival, and growth of manufacturing firms in the context of developing economies. He is respected for his commitment to translating complex data into actionable policy, a principle that continues to guide his current advisory roles and his passion for mentoring the next generation of Rwandan policy leaders.