Claire Uwamariya

Pioneering Rwandan tech entrepreneur empowering women through digital innovation

Claire Uwamariya is a groundbreaking Rwandan entrepreneur and social innovator whose work has revolutionized access to technology and economic opportunities for women in Africa. Born in 1991, she grew up during the post-genocide reconstruction period that deeply influenced her commitment to societal transformation. Her most notable achievement is co-founding Shega, a pan-African digital platform connecting women entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and market access. Since its launch in 2015, Shega has empowered over 50,000 women across 15 African countries, creating a new paradigm for female-led ventures in tech and agriculture.

Uwamariya's vision extends beyond entrepreneurship to education, launching CodeGirl Africa, a coding academy training young women in digital skills. This initiative has produced over 2,000 graduates who now work in tech sectors across the continent. Her work was recognized by Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 list in 2018 and earned her a spot among BBC's 100 Women in 2020.

A vocal advocate for digital inclusion, she pioneered Rwanda's first women's hackathon in 2016 and has advised the African Union on tech policy. Her TEDxKigali talk "Building Africa's Future with Women's Code" has been viewed over 500,000 times. Uwamariya's impact is measured not just in startup numbers but in creating ecosystems where 78% of her program graduates achieve income stability within 12 months.