Speaking at Rwanda Convention Canada 2026 in Ottawa on Saturday, October 10, Munyampenda said her decision to return was driven by her desire to make a greater contribution to Rwanda, where she believed her education and professional experience could have a greater impact.

Munyampenda, who has lived in Rwanda full-time since 2017, first returned to the country to work for the government for two years before going back to Toronto. She later moved back to Rwanda with her family.

She said her time in Canada helped her develop skills and experience that she could eventually use to contribute to Rwanda's development.

"For me, I felt like I would have the most impact in Rwanda," she said.

Munyampenda explained that her decision was not about choosing between being Canadian and Rwandan, but about identifying where she could make the greatest contribution.

She studied at the University of Ottawa before pursuing further education in the United States. She is currently undertaking doctoral studies while leading Kepler University.

She said her long-term ambition had been to equip herself through education and professional experience to contribute to Rwanda or elsewhere on the African continent.

Skills and experience matter

Munyampenda cautioned Rwandans abroad against assuming that returning to the country automatically guarantees success.

She argued that professional experience, practical skills and the ability to meet market needs are essential for those seeking to establish themselves in Rwanda.

"You cannot be successful if you're not already successful here, and I don't mean that you're rich. I mean that you have some experience, some skills that you can sell on the Rwandan market in the same way that you could sell here," she stressed.

She encouraged young people to invest in their education and professional development before returning, saying they should aim to acquire skills that are in demand in Rwanda.

Among the sectors she highlighted were aviation, energy, agriculture and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Munyampenda emphasised that Rwanda needed professionals with experience in the aviation and airline industries, adding that people with relevant expertise could find opportunities in the country's growing aviation sector.

She also pointed to opportunities for those with experience in energy and agriculture, as well as people able to establish businesses in technical fields such as plumbing and other skilled trades.

However, she stressed that contributing to Rwanda's development was not limited to businesspeople or investors.

"We don't just need business people, we need artists, we need educators, we need sports people," she said, calling on Rwandans abroad to identify how their respective skills could contribute to society.

A role for young Rwandans abroad

Munyampenda also reflected on how Rwanda could better connect with younger generations in the diaspora, particularly those who grew up abroad and may have limited direct experience of the country.

She recounted meeting young people from across Europe at an event in Paris, noting that some had never visited Rwanda and did not speak Kinyarwanda.

The experience prompted her to consider how Rwanda could tell its story in ways that help young people see themselves as part of the country's future, regardless of where they were born or raised.

To illustrate her point, she drew on the fictional African nation of Wakanda from the film Black Panther, using it as a metaphor for a society whose people work together towards a shared vision.

She compared Wakanda's fictional resource, vibranium, to Rwanda's people, arguing that the country's greatest strength lies in its citizens and their collective contribution.

Munyampenda said Rwanda's development should be driven by Rwandans' decisions about the kind of society they want to build, rather than by the expectations of others.

She highlighted accountability, unity and ambition as important elements of that vision, encouraging members of the diaspora to take an active role in shaping the country's future.

"We have to build this Wakanda that we're talking about," she said, urging Rwandans abroad to step outside their comfort zones and become part of the process.

Building a shared future

Munyampenda acknowledged that Rwanda, like other countries, faces challenges, including the cost of living and economic pressures. However, she said the country's commitment to addressing its challenges and building its future creates opportunities for those willing to contribute.

She urged Rwandans abroad to consider how their professional expertise, education and personal interests could help address the country's needs.

Her message was that returning to Rwanda should not be viewed simply as a change of residence, but as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the country's development.

"Come with us, join us, take your place within our society, whether you are here or there," she said. "But we are building; join us as we build."

Watch the video below for more of Nathalie Munyampenda’s reflections on her decision to return to Rwanda and the opportunities available to Rwandans in the diaspora.