January 28, 2025

EP 30: Clare Akamanzi: On maximizing opportunities she was given, leading the Rwanda Development Board, and her new adventure with NBA Africa

1 hour 5 minutes

In the next episode, I sit down with Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of NBA Africa and former CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Clare’s leadership is an inspiration to many and her impact is felt across across Rwanda and the continent.

During her six and a half years at RDB, she spearheaded Rwanda's economic transformation by driving private sector growth and implementing significant business reforms. Under her leadership, Rwanda secured strategic partnerships with global brands like Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain FC, FC Bayern Munich, and TIME Magazine.

Now, as CEO of NBA Africa, Clare leads the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts across the continent, focusing on grassroots basketball, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility programs that uplift African youth and communities.

Clare holds an honorary LLD from Concordia University and a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where she earned three prestigious academic and community leadership awards. She also serves on several boards, including the WHO Foundation and ECOBANK Rwanda, and was named one of Forbes Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.

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