Esther Nkunda

Esther Nkunda (also known professionally as Esther Kunda) is a Rwandan technology policy leader who serves as Director General of the Innovation and Emerging Technologies department at Rwanda's Ministry of ICT and Innovation. In this role, she drives policy initiatives and interventions to support the Rwandan innovation ecosystem and the development of new emerging technologies in the country, and she represents Rwanda as a councillor on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council. Nkunda holds a master's degree in information technology from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. Before joining the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, she worked as Policy, Innovation and Community of Scientists Manager at the Next Einstein Forum, where she managed the development of NEF policy initiatives and worked with the NEF Community of Scientists on continent-wide science engagement activities such as the NEF Africa Science Week. Earlier in her career, she held roles at Intel, as an Education Support Manager, and at the telecommunications company Millicom (Tigo Rwanda), in product development. At the Ministry, Nkunda has spearheaded major initiatives including Rwanda's National AI Policy, its fintech strategy, and the Hanga Pitchfest innovation competition. In March 2026, she led the launch of Innovate Rwanda, a digital platform designed to connect startups, investors, talent and ecosystem support organisations across the country, describing it as a response to fragmented information in Rwanda's young tech ecosystem, which has more than 70 active startups. Quotes "We want it to be a platform where startups can discover who else is playing in the field they want to play in." On the purpose of the Innovate Rwanda platform. Why Rwanda's government created Innovate Rwanda TechCabal (March 20, 2026) They were deployed and linked with Village and Sector Executive Secretaries to give basic technology skills to the community. The key knowledge they have to disseminate includes the use of the internet, Irembo platform and access to learning content. EDTECH PARTNERS ADDRESS TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES KT Press (April 27, 2021) Hari n’a) bavuga ngo telefone zirarangaza najye kwandika ariko ukwiye kubaza icyo bize ukanareba ko aribyo arimo kureba, nsomera ibyo uri kureba, ukamusobanuza ibyo aribyo ukanabaza umuyobozi w’ishuri niba ibyo arimo kureba ariyo bigiraho. Ababyeyi barasabwa kugira uruhare mu myigire y’abana binyuze mu ikoranabuhanga Kigali Today ((April 27, 2021) Parents and students who have access to smartphones should visit digital ambassadors for basic training. They are available across the villages or can be accessed at their service centers across the country. EDTECH PARTNERS ADDRESS TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES KT Press (April 27, 2021) Ababyeyi mu ishuri ni bo baba bafite ijambo kuko nibo baba bazanye abana babo kugira ngo barererwe muri iryo shuri, mukabaza muti ese kuki abana bacu batiga bakoresheje mudasobwa, kuki batari gukoresha ikoranabuhanga biga kandi tubizi neza ko bazanye ibikoresho. Ababyeyi barasabwa kugira uruhare mu myigire y’abana binyuze mu ikoranabuhanga Kigali Today ((April 27, 2021) All through my childhood, I wasn’t your typical girl as I was so into gadgets, electronics and anything to do with technology. I knew I wanted to pursue and develop my love for technology through education. At 23, Kunda owns an ICT company providing high technology solutions. The NewTimes April 16, 2013 ICT is very crucial in today’s world and solves a lot of day to day problems thus making life easier such as mobile money and mobile banking that Rwanda has also taken on. At 23, Kunda owns an ICT company providing high technology solutions. The NewTimes April 16, 2013 I felt so humbled that our President could actually find time to listen to our [the youth] ideas. At 23, Kunda owns an ICT company providing high technology solutions. The NewTimes April 16, 2013 We have realized that young innovators and startups have been struggling because they have no sufficient support Why many innovative projects fail to take offThe New Times( September 28, 2021) They need support and funding Why many innovative projects fail to take offThe New Times( September 28, 2021) We have to ensure we set up startup funding opportunities… Why many innovative projects fail to take offThe New Times( September 28, 2021) We are also looking at interventions in terms of laws and policies. Why many innovative projects fail to take offThe New Times( September 28, 2021) The imagery that has been collected so far in Kigali is now live on google maps. Google Street View comes to Rwanda’s streetsThe New Times( October 17, 2022) The global digital landscape is evolving, and Rwanda is part of that transformation Rwanda's Internet Users Surge to 5.5 Million Amid Digital ExpansionallAfrica.com(8 June 2025) Rwanda aspires to become a high-income country by 2050… How Rwanda’s digital hub project could boost tech startupsThe New Times( August 19, 2025) Across the world, artificial intelligence is reshaping how people learn, work, communicate, and solve problems UoK hosts ICAIED 2025, explores how AI is reshaping higher educationThe New Times(December 10, 2025) When someone is starting a company in Rwanda, they often struggle to identify who can support them New digital platform to connect startups to investors The New Times( March 12, 2026) Many organisations are supporting entrepreneurs, but sometimes they end up offering similar programmes… New digital platform to connect startups to investors The New Times( March 12, 2026) Financial inclusion today means more than the ability to send or receive money. Barriers, opportunities that shape Africa’s fintech sectorThe New Times(March 16, 2026) The next stage is ensuring people can access the financial tools that help them build businesses, invest, and grow economically. Barriers, opportunities that shape Africa’s fintech sectorThe New Times(March 16, 2026) Alongside regulatory reforms, Rwanda has invested heavily in digital public infrastructure to support financial innovation Barriers, opportunities that shape Africa’s fintech sectorThe New Times(March 16, 2026) Interoperable payment systems, open banking frameworks, and digital identity platforms are helping fintech companies integrate more easily with banks and other financial institutions. Barriers, opportunities that shape Africa’s fintech sectorThe New Times(March 16, 2026) Such measures could reduce barriers for startups looking to scale across the continent Barriers, opportunities that shape Africa’s fintech sectorThe New Times(March 16, 2026) Access to high-performance computing is currently one of the biggest constraints for small companies Rwanda: Early-Stage Startups Highlight Gaps New Ai Agency Could SolveallAfrica.com(17 August 2026) When someone starts a company, the first question is often: who can help me? If you have an idea, you need to know where to find research support, incubation programs, market information and potential investors Rwanda Launches FinTech Centre, Innovation Platform to Strengthen Startup EcosystemKT PRESS(March 12, 2026) Many organizations want to support startups but lack visibility on what others are doing. This platform allows them to see existing programs and identify gaps where new support initiatives are needed Rwanda Launches FinTech Centre, Innovation Platform to Strengthen Startup EcosystemKT PRESS(March 12, 2026) Most of our population is only using one form of financial service. What we want to continue promoting is enhancing livelihoods and increasing socio-economic opportunities through digital payment literacy, supporting SMEs to become digitally included and building confidence in digital financial services Rwanda Nears Universal Digital Inclusion But Says Access Alone Is No Longer EnoughKT PRESS(June 25, 2026) I want to do something that would help our farmers better market key products Press Release: Carnegie Mellon's Esther Kunda Developing Tools To Help Rwanda Farmers Market Crops and Products More EfficientlyCarnegie Mellon University(February 20, 2014) I want my virtual startup to help farmers learn about better crop maintenance and delivery systems Press Release: Carnegie Mellon's Esther Kunda Developing Tools To Help Rwanda Farmers Market Crops and Products More EfficientlyCarnegie Mellon University(February 20, 2014) My courses in the CMU-Rwanda program have helped me be more confident in attaining my career goals. Press Release: Carnegie Mellon's Esther Kunda Developing Tools To Help Rwanda Farmers Market Crops and Products More EfficientlyCarnegie Mellon University(February 20, 2014) External links Category:Women from Rwanda Category:Government officials Category:Living people Quotes