Joseph Nkurunziza, PhD

Academic rank: 
Lecturer
Department: 
Applied Statistics
School: 
School of Economics
College: 
College of Business and Economics(CBE)
Phone: 
+250 788 321 816
E-mail: 
nkurunzizaj@gmail.com
j.nkurunziza@ur.ac.rw
Educational Background: 
• Ph.D. in Applied Statistics in Economics and Policy Analysis, Utrecht University, The Netherlands • Master’s in Applied Statistics in Economics and Insurance, Institut de Statistiques “Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve”, Belgium • Bachelor’s degree in Economics, National University of Rwanda, Rwanda
Research Interests and area of expertise : 
Dr. Joseph Nkurunziza is an economist with a broad interest in Applied Statistics for economics, policy analysis and development planning. Based on logistic models, Generalised Ordered Logit analysis, multilevel approach, Heckprobit models and Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) analysis, he analyzed the Rwandan Policy on education (free education), social security (Community Based Health Insurance, VUP, Girinka program) and rural development (land use consolidation). The development of Human capital is a policy priority for the Government of Rwanda. Joseph Nkurunziza found that policies aimed at poverty reduction and rural development contributes to the willingness of parents to invest in education of their children. The presence of formal paid work at the district level has had a positive impact, confirming that labor market factors are important when deciding whether to allow children to follow education.
Publications: 
  1. Mbonyinshuti, F., Nkurunziza, J., Niyobuhungiro, J. & Kayitare, E., 2022. Application of Random Forest Model to Predict the Demand of Essential Medicines for Non-Communicable Diseases Management in Public Health Facilities. The Pan African Medical Journal, Volume 42, Article 89, 02 Jun 2022 | 10.11604/pamj.2022.42.89.33833
  2. Mbonyinshuti, F., Nkurunziza, J., Niyobuhungiro, J. & Kayitare, E., 2021. The Prediction of Essential Medicines Demand: A Machine Learning Approach Using Consumption Data in Rwanda. Processes 2022, 10(1), 26;  https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10010026
  3. Yego, N.K.; Kasozi, J.; Nkurunziza, J., 2021. A Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Models for the Prediction of Insurance Uptake in Kenya. Data 2021, 6, 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/data6110116
  4. Habimana, D., Nkurunziza, J., Hughton, D. & Hughton, J. 2021. Measuring the impact of unconditional cash transfers on consumption and poverty in Rwanda. World Development Perspectives 23 (2021) 100341, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2021.100341.
  5. Squire, J. & Nkurunziza, J. 2021.  Urban Waste Management in Post-Conflict Rwanda: An Empirical Survey of the City of Kigali. Journal of Asian and African Studies 1-13, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096211035430 
  6. Nkurunziza, J., Broekhuis, A. and Hooimeijer, P., 2017. “Sibling and gender effects on youngsters' second chance to complete primary education in Rwanda”.  Journal of Population and Social studies, 25(1): 26-42. DOI 10.14456/jpss.2017.3
  7. Nkurunziza, J., Broekhuis, A. and Hooimeijer, P., 2015. “Do Poverty Reduction programmes Foster Education Expenditure? New Evidence from Rwanda”.  SAGE publication, Journal of Asian and African Studies, 52(4): 425-443 Doi: 10.1177/0021909615595988.
  8. Nkurunziza, J., Broekhuis, A. and Hooimeijer, P., 2012. Free Education in Rwanda: Just one step towards reducing gender and sibling inequalities. Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Education Research International 2012. Doi:10.1155/2012/396019. ISSN: 2090-4010.
Personal Statement: 
Prior positions include Manager of Banque Populaire de Kacyiru, Kigali Rwanda. J. Nkurunziza has so far contributed to the development and implementation of internally funded research projects and reviewed papers. Which include the following research grant/project: Mutisya M, Muchira JM and Abuya BA (2021). Understanding Wealth Inequalities in Education Access in Urbanizing Sub-Saharan Africa. Front. Educ. 6:649730. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.649730 November 2021- present: PI, Predicting the Infections, evolution and outcome of COVID-19 Pandemic in Rwanda using SIR Model. Special Collaborative Research Grants to Address COVID-19 Pandemic” Grant Number; NSCT-NRIF/COVID-19/009/2020. 12 months’ research project with an extension of six months funded by the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST). September 2018 – November 2020: Ag. Deputy Dean, School of Economics, College of Business and Economics, University of Rwanda. December 2020 - present: Dean, School of Economics, College of Business and Economics, University of Rwanda.