Rwanda’s ambition to become Africa’s financial powerhouse spotlighted at ACOA 2025

Elias Hakizimana May 8, 2025 0 Comments

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

Kigali, Rwanda – May 7, 2025 — Rwanda’s rise as a regional financial powerhouse was placed firmly in the spotlight today as Nick Barigye, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Finance Limited, delivered a compelling keynote address at the Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA) 2025 in Kigali.

Speaking to over 2,000 finance professionals and policymakers from 65 countries, Barigye outlined Rwanda’s bold vision to become a globally competitive International Financial Centre, with talent development as its cornerstone.

In a speech titled “Building Africa’s Financial Talent for Global Competitiveness: The Case of Rwanda as a Rising Financial Hub,” Barigye highlighted the strategic progress of the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), which now ranks third in sub-Saharan Africa and among the top 140 financial hubs globally, according to the Global Financial Centres Index.

“Our vision is clear: to position Rwanda as the preferred International Financial Centre in Africa,” Barigye declared. “But it’s not just about buildings or infrastructure — it’s about people. The key ingredient of every thriving financial hub is its talent: accountants, lawyers, tax experts, fintech innovators.”

**Nick Barigye, CEO of Rwanda Finance Limited, delivering his keynote address at ACOA 2025 in Kigali.**

Barigye emphasized that while Africa boasts a young, educated population full of promise, the continent’s financial systems are often hampered by limited access to long-term, patient capital — a gap that International Financial Centres are designed to bridge.

Three-Pillar Talent Strategy

To drive this transformation, Rwanda’s financial sector is implementing a three-pronged talent strategy: building a robust pipeline of local professionals, upskilling existing talent, and attracting global expertise for knowledge transfer.

Training programs in mergers and acquisitions, fund management, ESG compliance, and corporate governance are already underway. Strategic partnerships with global institutions like the CFA Institute, Pearson Point, and the Luxembourg School of Business are equipping Rwandan professionals with world-class credentials through embedded, long-term programs.

Notably, Barigye announced a significant collaboration between KIFC and the Jersey International Financial Centre. This initiative will provide hands-on, two-year training for selected young Rwandan professionals, preparing them to become the next generation of CFOs, tax advisors, and fund managers.

**Over 2,000 delegates gathered at ACOA 2025 in Kigali to shape the future of finance across Africa.**

Investing in Digital and Fintech Skills

Recognizing the rapidly changing financial landscape, Barigye stressed the importance of future-proofing Africa’s financial talent. Rwanda’s recent launch of the Rwanda Artificial Intelligence Centre — a pan-African platform for responsible AI — underscores the country’s commitment to integrating AI, cybersecurity, and digital finance into its professional training frameworks.

“The accountant of tomorrow is not just a bookkeeper — they are a data analyst, strategist, and digital-first thinker,” he said.

A Pan-African Vision for Financial Talent

While championing Rwanda’s strides, Barigye was quick to emphasize the need for a continental approach. He called for harmonized regulatory frameworks, mutual recognition of qualifications, and cross-border mobility of financial professionals.

“Let’s imagine an Africa where a professional trained in Kigali can seamlessly work in Nairobi, Accra, or Johannesburg — and vice versa. That’s the Africa we must build,” Barigye urged.

A Rallying Call for Action

Concluding his address, Barigye laid out three imperatives for Africa’s financial future:

Invest in talent — Make human capital the core of development.
Redefine financial skills for the digital era — Reskill for relevance and adaptability.
Build African confidence in global markets — Empower professionals to lead in IPOs, ESG innovation, and global financial negotiations.

“In Rwanda, we say ‘knowledge is wealth,’” Barigye said. “Let’s ensure that Africa’s financial knowledge becomes its competitive face on the global stage.”

About ACOA 2025

Hosted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) in partnership with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), ACOA 2025 is being held from May 6–9 at the Kigali Convention Centre. Under the theme “Creating Value for Africa,” the 8th edition of the congress brings together top-tier financial professionals, policy influencers, and innovators to discuss Africa’s socio-economic transformation through the lens of finance and accountancy. This year marks the first time Rwanda has hosted the biennial congress.