Clarisse Umutoni

Clarisse Umutoni is the chief finance officer & chief budget manager at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAARDB).

She began her career at BPR Bank Rwanda as a branch manager in 2004. She then joined I&M Bank in September 2004, where she held banking and relationship management roles for four years and six months, managing high-value corporate and SME investment portfolios.

In February 2009, Clarisse joined Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources as head of finance and administration for mega and donor-funded projects, a position she held for five years and eleven months. In December 2014, she moved to the Capital Market Authority Rwanda as head of finance and administration, serving for five years and nine months.

In January 2019, Clarisse founded Elite CPA, where she serves as lead partner, providing accounting, audit, tax, and business advisory services.

She assumed her current role at RAARDB in August 2020, overseeing the financial management of multi-million-dollar research-driven projects and government-funded agriculture and livestock programmes supported by international partners.

In September 2024, Clarisse joined the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) as a certified food systems leader, participating in the AGRA-supported advanced leadership programme.

Clarisse is a certified public accountant (FCPA) in Rwanda and holds full membership (MCSI) with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. She earned her Bachelor's degree in economic sciences and management from Université Libre de Kigali and completed studies at the University of Greenwich.

Work
August 2020 - Present: chief finance officer & chief budget manager, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAARDB)
January 2019 - Present: founder & lead partner, Elite CPA
September 2024 - Present: certified food systems leader, The Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA)
December 2014 - August 2020: head of finance and administration, Capital Market Authority Rwanda
February 2009 - December 2014: head of finance and administration, Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources
September 2004 - February 2009: banking & relationship management roles, I&M Bank 
2004: branch manager, BPR Bank Rwanda 

Education
Université Libre de Kigali: Bachelor's degree, economic sciences and management
University of Greenwich
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment: full member MCSI
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment: International Securities and Investment Award
The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (The CISI): Regulations and Market Practice (Rwanda)

Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAARDB)
RAARDB is Rwanda's leading agricultural research and development institution, responsible for driving innovation and transformation in the agriculture and livestock sectors. The organisation manages multi-donor-funded initiatives and public investments supported by international partners to enhance food security and sustainable agricultural development across Rwanda.