Prof. Charles Ruranga

Academic Rank:Professor

Department:African Center of Excellence in Data Science (ACE-DS)

College:College of Business and Economics(CBE)

Phone:(+250) 788 484 421

Email:c.ruranga@ur.ac.rw or cruranga@gmail.com

Educational Background

Prof. Charles Ruranga holds a PhD in statistics (Econometrics) from School of statistics and Planning, Makerere University in Uganda in January 2018, an MSc in Economics with two specializations Econometrics and International Economics and Finance in May 2007 from Université de Montreal in Canada and a BSc in Economics from the National University of Rwanda in 2001. Prof. Charles has been working in education sector since November 2002. Prof. Charles has over 19 years of experience in academia, research, grants development and management and consultancy. Prof. Charles is Professor of Econometrics in Department of Applied Statistics and Director of African Center of Excellence in Data Science (ACE-DS) at the College of Business and Economics, University of Rwanda (UR). Before serving as the Director of African Center of Excellence in Data Science (ACE-DS), he had been the Head of Department of Applied Statistics between June 2015 and August 2017, and he served as Vice Dean for Administration and Finance in the Faculty of Economics and Management at the former National University of Rwanda between November 2008 and July 2011. In 2015, Prof. Charles has participated as Principal Investigator (PI) in the development of grant proposal submitted to the World Bank for the establishment of the African Center of Excellence in Data Science (ACE-DS) and the University of Rwanda won a grant of 4.5million USD. Prof. Charles has also won a grant of 1,25 million CAD as MPI (Multiple Principal Investigator) financed by International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for conducting research on “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Techniques in Harmonizing, Sharing, Accessing and Analyzing SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 Data in Rwanda”, 01/10/2020-30/09/2022. Prof. Charles has also worked as Project Manager of NPT/RWA/053 project cooperation between NUFFIC, Netherlands and National University of Rwanda. Prof. Charles research interests lie in the domain of econometrics, quantitative economics, policy analysis, data management and Data analysis using different statistical techniques and software’s. Prof. Charles has experience in supervision of Masters and PhD students in their theses..

Publications

  • Niragire, F., Ahishakiye, J., Ngaruye, I. , Ruranga, C., et al. (2025). Spatio-temporal variation of child stunting and associated risk factors in Rwanda. BMC Public Health 25, 1195. March 29, 2025.View this paper
  • Lester RT, Manson M, Semakula M, Jang H, Mugabo H, Magzari A, Blackmer MJ, Fattah F, Niyonsenga SP, Rwagasore E, Ruranga C et al. (2025) Natural language processing to evaluate texting conversations between patients and healthcare providers during COVID-19 Home-Based Care in Rwanda at scale. PLOS Digit Health 4(1): e0000625. January 15, 2025.View this paper
  • Munyemana, E., Ruranga, C., & Mung’atu, J. K. (2025). Effect of the Cash Support from the Vision Umurenge Programme on Household Financial Behaviour in Rwanda: The Case of Direct Support (DS). Economies, 13(1), 2: 1-23. December 28, 2024.View this paper
  • Nsengiyumva, E., Mung’atu, J. K., Kayijuka, I., & Ruranga, C. (2024). Neural networks and ARMA-GARCH models for foreign exchange risk measurement and assessment. Cogent Economics & Finance, 12(1) 1–15. November 4, 2024.View this paper
  • Uwimana, G., Ruranga, C., Masabo, E., & Muchie, M. (2024). Tax buoyancy dynamics in sub-Saharan African nations: The case study of Rwanda. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 16(6), 881–889. September 5, 2024.View this paper
  • Munyemana, E., K. Mung'atu, J., & Ruranga, C. (2024). Effects of Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP) Public Works Benefits on Households’ Financial Resources Allocations in Rwanda: Application of SUR Models. CINEFORUM, 64(3S), 314–345. August 25, 2024.View this paper
  • Munyemana, E., Mung’atu, J., and Ruranga, C. (2024). Analysis of Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda Using Wood Firm-Level Data. Economies 12(8), 203, 1-20. August 8, 2024.View this paper
  • Mugeni, R., Ruranga, C., Mutezimana, E., et al. (2024). Assessing factors associated with compliance to preventive measures of COVID-19 in Rwanda: a cross-sectional community survey. BMJ Open,14(7):1-8.July 24, 2024.View this paper
  • Uwimana, A., Mukamana, L., Ruranga, C. at al. (2024). Assessment of the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 in Rwanda: Findings from a country-wide community survey, preliminary analysis to inform further global research. Research in Globalization, 8, 100230:1-10, ISSN 2590-051X.June 2024.View this paper
  • Ruranga, C. (2024). Exploring higher education students’ satisfaction for quality improvement: A case study of the African Centre of Excellence in Data Science. International Journal of Education and Practice, 12(3), 719–729.9 May 2024.View this paper
  • Mwitirehe, J., Kipruto, C. W. and Ruranga C. (2024). Exploring the drinking water supply in Rwanda with panel data analysis. Journal of Water and Health, 22 (5):859-877.April 24, 2024.View this paper
  • Ngaruye, I., Nzabanita, J., Niragire, F., Rizinde, T., Nkurunziza, J., Ndikubwimana, J. B., Ruranga, C., Ignace Kabano, I., Dieudonne N. Muhoza, N. D., and Ahishakiye, J. (2023). Child stunting prevalence determination at sector level in Rwanda using small area estimation. BMC Nutrition, 9(147):1-8, December 2023.View this paper
  • Masabo, E., Nzabanita, J., Ngaruye, Ruranga, C., Nizeyimana. J. P., Uwonkunda, J. and Ndanguza, D. (2023). Early detection of students at risk of poor performance in Rwanda higher education using machine learning techniques. International Journal of Information Technology, 15: 3201–3210, June 2023.View this paper
  • Uwizera, D. K., Ruranga, C., and McSharry, P. (2023). Deep Learning Inter-city Road Conditions in East Africa Focusing on Rwanda for Infrastructure Prioritization using Satellite Imagery and Mobile Data, SAIEE Africa Research Journal, 114 (1): 14-24, March 2023, ISSN:0038-2221.View this paper
  • Nzabanita, J., Ngaruye, I., Ruranga, C., Masabo, E., Mutezimana, E., Niyobuhungiro, J., Uwimana, A., Nizeyimana, J. P., Uwonkunda, J. and Ndanguza, D. (2022). Effects of High School Leavers’ Characteristics on the Academic Performance in Higher Education: Empirical Evidence from Rwanda. Journal of Somali Studies, 9 (3):73-93, December 2022.View this paper
  • Uwizera, D. K., Ruranga, C., and McSharry, P. (2022). Classifying Economic Areas for Urban Planning using Deep Learning and Satellite Imagery in East Africa, SAIEE Africa Research Journal, 113 (4): 138-151, December 2022, ISSN:0038-2221.View this paper
  • Mwitirehe, J., Kipruto, C. W. and Ruranga C. (2022). Towards an Effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) System: Challenges and Solutions in a Data Science Perspective, 2022 12th International Conference on Advanced Computer Information Technologies (ACIT), pp. 130-135, September 26-28, 2022.View this paper
  • Nishimwe, A., Ruranga, C., Musanabaganwa, C., Mugeni, R., Semakula, M., Nzabanita, J., Kabano, I., Uwimana, A., Utumatwishima. J. N., Kabakambira, J. D., Uwineza, A., Halvorsen, L., Descamps, F., Houghtaling, J., Burke, B., Bahati, O., Bizimana, C., Jansen, S., Twizere, C., Nkurikiyeyezu, K., Birungi, F., Nsanzimana, S. and Twagirumukiza, M. (2022). Leveraging artificial intelligence and data science techniques in harmonizing, sharing, accessing and analyzing SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 data in Rwanda (LAISDAR Project): study design and rationale. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 22, 214 (2022). 12 August 2022.View this paper
  • Maniriho, A., Musabanganji, E., Nkikabahizi, F., Ruranga, C., and Lebailly, P. (2021). Analysis of the Determinants of Household Expenditures in Rwanda. UKH Journal of Social Sciences 5 (1): 8-17, June 2021.View this paper
  • Ruranga, C. and Hacker, S. (2020). The Determinants of Households Having Savings Accounts in Rwanda. Rwanda Journal of Social Sciences, Humanities and Business (ISSN 2708-759X (Print); ISSN 2708-7603(Online), 1 (1): 6-19, July 2020
  • Musabanganji, E., Ruranga, C., and Maniriho, A. (2019). Migration decisions among rural households in Rwanda: what does the push-and-pull model reveal? AGROFOR International Journal, 4(3): 68-75.
  • Musabanganji, E., Ruranga, C., Nzabanita, J., Nkikabahizi, F., Ndizeye, I., and Lebailly, P. (2019). Productivity and Competitiveness of Rwandan Agriculture: A Case Study of the Maize sector. AGROFOR International Journal, 4(1): 32-40.
  • Ruranga, C. and Mutabazi, A. (2015). Food Prices Transmission in Rwanda: Econometric Analysis. Rwanda Journal, Series B: Social Sciences (ISSN 2305-2678 (Print); ISSN 2305-5944), 2 (1):019-029.View this paper
  • Ruranga, C., Ocaya, B. and Kaberuka, W. (2014). VAR Analysis of Economic Growth, Domestic Investment, Foreign Direct Investment, Domestic Savings and Trade in Rwanda. Greener Journal of Economics and Accountancy (ISSN: 2276-7762), 3 (2): 030-041; July 2014.
  • Ruranga, C., Ocaya, B. and Kaberuka, W. (2014). Analysis of Rwandan Economic Performance Before and After the 1994 Genocide. African Journal of Economic Review (ISSN 1821-8148), 2(2): 001-018; July 2014.
  • Ocaya, B., Ruranga, C. and Kaberuka, W. (2013). Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in Rwanda: A Time Series Analysis, Journal of Business Management and Corporate Affairs (ISSN 2354-3469), 2(1): 11-18; January 2013.
  • Ocaya, B., Ruranga, C. and Kaberuka, W. (2012). Dynamic Relationship between Gross Domestic Product and Domestic Investment in Rwanda, World Journal of Education (ISSN 1925-0746(Print), ISSN 1925-0754(Online)), 2(6): 79-90. December 2012.
  • Ruranga, C.; Mugenzi, M. and Mutabazi, A. (2018). Spatial price transmission analysis in beans and rice markets of Rwanda. Rwanda Handbook of Economic and Social Policy, Chapter 13, Vol. 1, Pages 397- 419, ISSN 1403-0462, ISBN 978-91-86345-78-5, Jönköping International Business School, January 2018.
  • Byombi, K. V. and Ruranga, C. (2020). The effect of short-term bank loan financing on financial performance of manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda. EPRN Rwanda research paper series, Vol. 3: 21-41, June 2020.
  • Byombi, K. V. and Ruranga, C. (2019). The effect of trade credit on financial performance of manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda. EPRN Rwanda research paper series, Vol. 2: 80-92, April 2019.
  • Ruranga, C. (2011). Analyse des déterminants de l’épargne nationale du Rwanda. African Union Commission (AUC), Proceedings of the Second Congress of African Economists, ISSN number: 1993-6177, Vol. 1: 17-35, November 2011.View this paper

Other Contributions

President of the Board of Directors and Legal Representative of Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN) since October 2018. Member or chairperson of different committees at the university, some of those committees are Chairperson of the International Accreditation Committee for the MSc. Economics, Member of CBE Research Screening and Ethics Clearance committee, Member of UR Postgraduate studies committee, Representative of CBE Academic Staff in UR Senate and Member of College disciplinary committee.