Claire Akamanzi

Clare Akamanzi thumb(born 1979) is a Rwandan lawyer, public administrator and businesswoman. She served as chief executive officer of the Rwanda Development Board from February 2017 to September 2023. She later became chief executive officer of NBA Africa. Quotes Leadership and public service Every decision must be about those people. It’s also about service—not privilege or power, not recognition. Amujae Leaders interview, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, March 2021. If you serve people, you get results; you make them better off than they were. Amujae Leaders interview, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, March 2021. A key role for a leader is to support and mentor the next generation of leaders and create an effective team. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Credibility is earned. Result speaks loudest. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Never accept the status quo. However much the odds against you. You can always aim and achieve better. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Leave no one behind. Be inclusive. Whatever you choose to do in life, always remember this: involving others in designing solutions that affect them will ensure ownership and ultimately sustainability. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Stand for what is right and be willing to fight for it even if it’s not popular. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Rwanda and development Aid is going towards the most vulnerable part of our needs, health, education as well as supporting agriculture, because those are the ones development partners have agreed on. The New Times. A country has to be very clear about what it wants, and everybody else must be part of that. Rwanda did that very clearly. We defined what we want to do and where the priorities were. Taarifa, May 2022. You can prove your concept in Rwanda and then expand to the rest of the continent. The Africa Report, March 2019. The pursuit of excellence is a choice available to anyone from anywhere. No matter how bad the hand that faith has apportioned to you. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Women and opportunity Most of the big companies are owned by men; let’s support each other as women so that we can also achieve such business success. This will not come easily, but it’s a journey we need to embark on now. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Never underestimate your potential to be among the best in the world. Entrepreneurs.ng, 21 March 2020. Sports and leadership If you want your child to be a great doctor, a CEO, a leader in any field, investing in their participation in sports will help them achieve that—even if they don’t end up as professional athletes. Akamanzi on sports, leadership and breaking boundaries, The New Times, 18 August 2025. Sports teaches discipline, and that discipline takes you places. We’ve seen how consistency and discipline make a difference—not just in sports but even here in Rwanda. Akamanzi on sports, leadership and breaking boundaries, The New Times, 18 August 2025. Balancing family and leadership is hard—especially when your children are very young. Akamanzi on sports, leadership and breaking boundaries, The New Times, 18 August 2025. It’s not easy. Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. You need stamina. So, self-care matters. Akamanzi on sports, leadership and breaking boundaries, The New Times, 18 August 2025. Sometimes you face situations and realize you don’t have all the answers. And that forces you to ask, to learn, to adapt. Akamanzi on sports, leadership and breaking boundaries, The New Times, 18 August 2025. Motherhood is the most intimate school for leadership and keeps you grounded—sometimes kids ask questions that challenge you to think or research more. Akamanzi on sports, leadership and breaking boundaries, The New Times, 18 August 2025. External links NBA Rwanda Development Board Category:Rwandan businesspeople Category:Rwandan women in politics