10 Most Influential Rwandans To Watch in 2024!

Rwanda, where I grew up and left in 1994 during The Genocide Against The Tutsi at 16 years old, has come a long way. Nearly 30 years later, Rwanda is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. Rwandans did not let their past hold them. Today, many Rwandans are creating an impact that is being felt worldwide.

Here are our 10 Most influential Rwandan People to watch in 2024:

Mizero Ncuti Gatwa

A Rwandan-Scottish actor, he is best known as the fifteenth incarnation of the Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who and Eric Effiong in the Netflix comedy series Sex Education. He has also appeared in Barbie and Masters of the Air.

Gatwa’s breakout role in Sex Education earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award and three BAFTA Television Award nominations for Best Male Comedy Performance.

Bruce Melodie

Itahiwacu Bruce, commonly known as Bruce Melodie aka Munyakazi is a Rwandan singer and a winner of Primus Guma Guma Super Star seasons 8. Bruce is also a brand ambassador of BK Arena and Primus.*

His song When She Is Around (Nfunga Macho) with Shaggy has reached #8 on @billboard’s ‘World Digital Song Sales’ chart and #20 on Billboard's ‘US Afrobeat Songs’.

Salima Mukansanga

The First Woman to Referee in The African Cup of Nations and FIRST BLACK WOMAN REFEREE FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2022, Salima Mukansanga is an international football referee from Rwanda who has been a listed international referee for FIFA since 2012. She was an official at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

Sherrie Silver

Sherrie Silver is a Rwandan-born British choreographer who choreographed the music video for Childish Gambino's 2018 song This Is America. She is a winner of the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography.

A philanthropist at heart who always remembers her roots, she founded the Sherrie Silver Foundation to empower and equip disadvantaged young people with an environment and the skills that will allow them to thrive and build a bright future.

Iris Irumva

Iris Irumva is an author, seasoned business leader, board member, entrepreneur, and executive advisor with experience managing teams of over 1,000 people in East Africa. She has established herself as an authority in Human Resources, Corporate Governance, Leadership, and Career development.

Her book "Lead Your Way Up" is a practical guide to outstanding leadership, whether you are a newbie in the corporate world, stuck in your career, or want to shake things up.

Winston Duke

Winston Duke is a Tobagonian-Rwandan actor. He made his feature film debut as M'Baku in Black Panther and is best known for portraying the character in four films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Duke was born in the village of Argyle, Tobago.

In 2023, UN Tourism appointed Mr. Duke the United Nations Ambassador for Responsible Tourism.

Maryse Mbonyumutwa

Maryse Mbonyumutwa is a Rwandan woman entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the global fashion and garments industry, including in Europe, China, South East Asia, and, more recently, since 2017, Africa.

Maryse is the founder of Pink Mango, an export-focused garment trading and manufacturing group. She is also the co-founder of the C&D Pink Mango Rwanda joint venture, a group of export-oriented garment factories employing jointly 5,000 workers in Rwanda to date, 70% of whom are women.

She is also the founder and CEO of Asantii, a contemporary pan-African clothing brand celebrating the continent’s heritage and craftsmanship through sustainable and fair fashion.

Josephine Murphy and Jocelyne Alexandre

Josephine Murphy and Jocelyne Alexandre are two women determined to improve the lives of children and families in Rwanda. Born of Rwandan parents in a refugee village in Burundi and having first-hand experience of living in poverty, they bring a unique perspective and a focused approach to helping others.

Jo and Jo moved to Canada in the late 1990s. After a few years, they decided to return home to Rwanda to visit family. During that visit, they saw hundreds of children desperate for help. They were heartbroken to see children begging for food and water on the streets. At that moment, they realized they were blessed beyond belief and needed to do something to help.

After researching how to work with international charities, they founded Shelter Them Poverty Relief in 2006 and began the charitable work of supporting children and families in Rwanda.?

Samuel Mironko

Samuel Mironko is a Rwandan-American digital storyteller, creator, and curator of Mironko Productions. Born in New Haven, CT, Sam was raised in South Africa and Cambridge, MA. He first began using a camera in 2013 at George School in PA, where he took courses in video production.

Throughout his career, Sam has covered a range of sporting events, including the NBA Finals and the Basketball Africa League Finals. His work has been featured by the Boston Celtics, SLAM magazine, and more.?

A recent top shot by Samuel Mironko proves this young man is one to watch for!

You can browse more of Samuel Mironko's gallery here.

About the author:

Shima Charles is an accomplished entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the travel industry. Originally from Rwanda ????, Mr. Shima is now based in Canada and is the founder-CEO of @Tourifique, an immersive travel booking platform for Afrocentric experiences. The company aims to provide travellers with immersive and authentic experiences of African culture and connect them with local guides.