Since her appointment in 2018 as Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire has become one of Africa’s most influential digital leaders. With a bold national vision, she has driven the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology into Rwanda’s development strategy, positioning the country as a key technology hub on the continent.
Championing AI for Inclusive Growth
At the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Ingabire made headlines with her prediction that AI could contribute up to six percent of Rwanda’s GDP. She emphasized that AI’s transformative potential must be balanced with efforts to ensure equitable access to technology. “AI presents an opportunity—but only if we close the gaps intentionally,” she said during a panel discussion. Rwanda’s national AI policy, shaped under her leadership, focuses on capacity building, digital literacy, and ethical use frameworks to ensure inclusive growth.
Rwanda has taken a proactive role in international conversations on AI governance. As part of the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance and host of Africa’s AI Summit under the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Ingabire is ensuring that Rwanda is not merely a consumer of AI technologies but an active contributor to how they are developed and regulated.
Pioneering Rwanda’s Drone Ecosystem
In late 2023, Ingabire launched an initiative to establish Rwanda as a continental leader in drone innovation. Speaking at the event “Unlocking Opportunities: Advancing Rwanda’s Drone Ecosystem,” she outlined a strategic plan to develop a comprehensive drone innovation framework, which includes a new Drone Operation Centre in Huye. The center will serve as a base for testing, manufacturing, training, and even recreational use of drones.
Working in collaboration with the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, her ministry is developing regulations for unmanned aircraft systems, including Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems and streamlined licensing processes. This framework is expected to accelerate the use of drones in sectors such as healthcare delivery, agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring.
Blending Technology and Policy
With academic credentials from the University of Rwanda and a master’s degree in Systems Design & Management from MIT, Ingabire has always operated at the intersection of policy and innovation. Before her ministerial role, she led the Kigali Innovation City initiative under the Rwanda Development Board, helping to establish Rwanda’s first tech-driven economic zone.
Ingabire serves on the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum and other global policy networks focused on the digital economy. She was recognized in 2019 among Apolitical’s Top 20 Global Influencers in Digital Government and named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2020.
Driving Development Through Innovation
Under her stewardship, Rwanda has invested in infrastructure and human capital to ensure that technological innovation directly supports economic development. Her policies also reflect a broader national strategy to become a knowledge-based economy by 2035.
While her role has largely remained technocratic and focused on delivery, it exists within a broader Rwandan political context that has drawn both praise for economic progress and criticism for political control. Ingabire has navigated this space with a clear focus on digital transformation and inclusive tech growth.
What’s Next
Rwanda’s AI policy will continue to evolve, with more pilot projects expected in public services and education. The Drone Operation Centre in Huye is set to launch fully in 2026, serving as a regional anchor for drone development. Rwanda is also expected to host future pan-African AI and innovation forums under her direction.
Paula Ingabire’s Leadership at a Glance
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AI Strategy: Leading inclusive AI policy to drive GDP growth and bridge the digital divide
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Drone Innovation: Spearheading a national drone ecosystem with regulatory reform and infrastructure
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Global Voice: Influencing international tech governance through WEF and AI policy networks
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Education and Capacity: Championing digital literacy and STEM talent development across Rwanda
Paula Ingabire is redefining what it means to lead in tech policy in Africa—turning vision into actionable strategies that blend technology, inclusion, and sustainability.
