Meet Grace Ingabire the Visionary Securing Rwanda’s Digital Identity

Grace Ingabire is a dedicated professional in Rwanda’s digital space, currently serving as the CEO of the Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA). While she is now a global representative for African tech interests, her journey began with a sharp pivot from a laboratory dream to the high-stakes world of network infrastructure. 

Today, she leads the technical efforts to manage the Internet exchange point (RINEX), (a facility that enables Rwanda’s Internet traffic to stay local) and the RW digital identity ensuring both infrastructure remains sovereign assets.

The Educational Foundation

Grace’s career began with a love for science inherited from her father, a veterinary doctor. Though she originally envisioned a future in medicine, a 1999 scholarship to the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) forced a choice between three engineering paths. She chose Computer Engineering and IT; a decision that wasn't part of her original dream which provided her the technical grounding that allowed her to contribute to the development of Rwanda’s digital infrastructure.

Entering a field that was still in its infancy in the region, she realized early on that in a male-dominated sector, technical competence was her most effective tool for breaking barriers. This academic shift forged  a practical engineering perspective, prioritizing functional systems over pure theory.

The Telecommunications Masterclass

By 2003, Grace completed her degree and joined Rwandatel as an IT officer. She moved from an IT officer through various positions and roles, gaining a deep understanding of the industry, though she often found herself as the only woman in the room. Refusing to be treated with sympathy, she chose resilience, often staying late at the office to read and research.  

Driven by the advice that “Google is your friend,” she took full responsibility for her own learning, spending her weekends with books and her laptop. This relentless self-teaching ensured she never felt inferior to more experienced colleagues and built the technical foundation that eventually prepared her for leadership.

Engineering Digital Sovereignty

In 2012, Grace joined RICTA to be part of the technical team during the period of re-delegation of the .rw domain back to Rwanda. She spent the next seven years in technical roles overseeing infrastructure like the RW country domain and Rwanda Internet Exchange Point, finding deep satisfaction in the hands-on work. 

When she stepped into the CEO role in 2019, she initially felt like staying in the technical department she loved.  She even offered to help the organization search for other candidates. It was only after encouragement from her family and close friends that she started viewing the leadership role as an opportunity to grow and contribute in the transformation of the alliance into a self-sustained pillar of Rwanda’s tech ecosystem.

The Future of Infrastructure

Today, Grace’s influence extends to the global stage as Africa’s representative on the ccNSO Council and a board member of the African Top Level Domain (AfTLD). Throughout her journey, Grace has learned not to be intimidated by a male-dominated industry. Instead, she feels honored leading a growing and sovereign organization and still pursuing her vision of seeing more businesses in Rwanda fully embracing the digital world. 

"My story is not just about success," she reflects. "It is about persistence, growth, and the courage to step beyond fear." As she continues her journey, she carries with her the same determination that first sparked her love for science years ago.