She said she "couldn't be more proud"

Rihanna has been given a new ambassadorial role by the government of Barbados.

The ‘Work’ singer was named “Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary” for her home country on Thursday (September 22).

The role, which involves promoting education, tourism and investment, follows earlier ambassadorial roles for Barbados including one for culture in 2008.

Rihanna, who is now described as Ambassador Fenty by the Barbados government, said in a statement that she “couldn’t be more proud to take on such a prestigious title” in her home country.

She said: “Every Barbadian is going to have to play their role in this current effort, and I’m ready and excited to take on the responsibility. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mottley and her team to re-imagine Barbados.”

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said she was honoured to confer the title.

“Rihanna has a deep love for this country and this is reflected in her philanthropy, especially in the areas of health and education. She also shows her patriotism in the way she gives back to this country and continues to treasure the island as her home,” the prime minister said in a statement.

“She has also demonstrated, beyond her success as a pop icon, significant creative acumen and shrewdness in business. It is therefore fitting that we engage and empower her to play a more definitive role as we work to transform Barbados.”

The pop star was born in Saint Michael in Barbados, and grew up in the capital, Bridgetown.

Rihanna lived in Bridgetown until she was discovered by an American record producer in her teens, who helped launch her career stateside.

A street that the singer used to live on was last year renamed ‘Rihanna Drive’ in her honour.

In other recent news, Rihanna launched her latest lingerie collection and praised women as “the strongest people on Earth”.