Her Excellency Paula Ingabire - Digital Economy Conference 2026
Her Excellency Paula Ingabire
Contact info
- Speciality: Guest of Honor 2026
Overview
Hon. Paula Ingabire is a Rwandan technology professional and politician who has served as Minister of
Information and Communications Technology and Innovation in the Cabinet of Rwanda since 18 October 2018.
Academic Qualifications
Minister Ingabire holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rwanda and a Master of Science in
Engineering and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she was a Systems
Design & Management Fellow.
Professional Background
Prior to her ministerial appointment, she served as Head of the Kigali Innovation City initiative and, before that,
as Head of ICT at the Rwanda Development Board.
Regional & International Engagements
Minister Ingabire is a Member of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum (WEF), a position she has
held since 2020. She is also a Member of the High-Level Group of Personalities on Africa-Europe Relations
under the Africa Europe Foundation (AEF), since 2020.
Recognition
In March 2020, she was named among the World Economic Forum’s 115 Young Global Leaders of the Year, a
cohort drawn from public officials, journalists, activists, artists, educators, and technology innovators under
the age of 40.
Policy Focus & Thematic Expertise
As a cabinet minister, Ingabire is a prominent advocate of blockchain technology, framing it within the broader
context of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. She has articulated its potential to transform Rwanda’s
healthcare and tourism sectors. Her ministerial portfolio broadly encompasses digital transformation,
innovation ecosystems, and emerging technologies policy.
Relevance to DEC 2026
Minister Ingabire brings a compelling regional perspective to DEC 2026, representing one of Africa’s most
recognised digital transformation success stories. Rwanda’s ICT-led development model — anchored in policy,
infrastructure, and innovation offers direct lessons for Zimbabwe’s ongoing digital economy agenda, including
the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the development of the NCA-Z framework. Her
WEF board membership and pan-African engagements position her as a high-calibre voice on digital
governance, emerging technologies, and ICT-driven economic development.