Clare Akamanzi on rebuilding Rwanda with strong leadership and bold vision

Named among Forbes Africa’s Most Powerful Women, Clare Akamanzi spent her formative years outside of Rwanda, which shaped her identity in unexpected ways. It also sparked a strong interest in nation-building, which eventually saw Akamanzi represent her country globally. This included serving as Rwanda’s top commercial diplomat in London and overseeing its trade negotiations with the WTO. It was not long before her work, which helped turn the country into an economic powerhouse, was noticed inside the corridors of power. In 2017, Akamanzi was appointed as CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, where she now serves directly under President Paul Kagame. In this capacity, she oversees major investment into the East African nation, which has spent years learning from other countries that have embarked on similar transformations. In this rare interview, Clare discusses how Rwanda quickly adapted during Covid-19, its role as a proof-of-concept country and the power of unity against all odds.