Pan-African internet registry the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has appointed Eddy Mabano Kayihura from Rwanda as its chief executive officer.

The 43-year-old takes over from Allan Barret who resigned three months ago and will begin officially on 4 November 2019 at the organisation's headquarters located at Ebene cybercity, Mauritius.

According to a statement issued by the chairman of AFRINIC's board of directors Christian Bope, Kayihura has a wealth of experience acquired over a period of more than 20 years.

Prior to his appointment Kayihura worked as a consultant on telecommunications, FinTech and IT infrastructure in Rwanda, and before that served as a chief technology officer at the Bank of Kigali where he managed a team of 70 engineers and business specialists operating the Bank's IT department and its digital offering.

Kayihura has also served as chief executive officer of Broadband Systems Corporation (BSC), among the biggest distributors of internet in the country, as well as executive chairman of the Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA).

"Kayihura joins us at the time when AFRINIC is beefing up its operational capacity, and it is our view that he has the required experience and expertise to drive these changes as well as ensuring that the organisation continues to be a catalyst for both internet development and use in Africa," Bope said.

Kayihura holds an MBA in International Business from Oklahoma Christian University, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the National University of Rwanda among other qualifications.

Kayihura was quoted by the local New Times newspaper that his appointment is "a vote of confidence" in Rwanda as a forerunner of technology in Africa.