Micheline Kwizera, now a Test Engineer at Irembo, has risen to become a notable figure in Rwanda’s tech industry. Her journey is one filled with perseverance, growth, and determination, culminating in her recognition as the 2024 Women in Leadership Summit Award winner in the tech sector. However, her path to success was not a straightforward one; it was marked by moments of doubt.
Micheline’s fascination with science began at an early age. “My love for sciences started when I was a kid and kept growing,” she shared. Like many children, her dreams were shaped by what she saw in movies—aspiring to become a pilot.
She recalls how watching films fueled her imagination and ambitions. However, life had a different plan for her. When it was time to choose a university course, limited financial options steered her away from accounting and into the world of Information Technology. This twist of fate would turn out to be the catalyst for her thriving tech career.
After university, Kwizera embarked on a career exploration that took her through various fields, including marketing. However, she soon realized that it wasn’t the right fit. “I felt exhausted from constantly meeting people and talking to them, so I knew it wasn’t for me,” she admits.
Her break came when she landed her first job as an application analyst at a startup. Initially, she assumed the role would revolve around coding, but instead, she found herself drawn to the meticulous world of software testing. This was where her true passion ignited.
Her role as a test engineer became more fulfilling as she discovered her natural talent for ensuring product quality. “I thought the job was really about coding, but it ended up being about checking the quality of the products the company developed,” she explains. Her responsibilities involved conducting rigorous tests to ensure products met high standards before being released to the public. This, she realized, was her calling.
Kwizera’s career took a significant turn when she joined Irembo, a tech company renowned for revolutionizing digital public services in Rwanda. “I’ve been working at Irembo for five years,” she shares with pride. Her day-to-day work involves overseeing the delivery of high-quality services through thorough testing and quality assurance. One of her most challenging tasks is launching services. “It takes a lot of time, from the beginning of a project to development, testing, and ensuring that everything is ready for the public.”
But the effort is worth it. Kwizera is particularly proud of her contribution to launching Irembo Gov 2.0, an essential platform that has become integral to the delivery of online public services. “This was one of the first big projects I worked on,” she says. At the time, she was the only tester, tasked with ensuring the success of launching the first 100 services on the platform. The sense of accomplishment she felt in this role was immense, especially seeing the positive feedback from users. “The most rewarding part of my job is seeing people happy—whether it’s on Twitter or other platforms, knowing they’re getting the services they need.”
While her career was marked by significant achievements, it was not without challenges. As one of the few women in the tech field, she faced her biggest hurdle: imposter syndrome. “The fact that I was one of the few women in the room made me feel that my voice wasn’t as valuable as my male colleagues,” she admits. This self-doubt plagued her early career, but she refused to let it define her.
Her father, who had always been a source of inspiration, played a significant role in helping her overcome these feelings. “My dad taught me to be tough and pursue my interests regardless of gender biases,” she says. She took his advice to heart and worked hard to build her confidence. Through continuous learning and skill development, she began to assert herself more and overcame her insecurities. “It was a journey, not something that happened overnight.”
Now that she has established herself in the tech world, she offers valuable advice to young people who wish to follow a similar path. “Believe in yourself and pursue your interests,” she emphasizes. Her second piece of advice is to seize learning opportunities, whether through online resources or tech communities. Kwizera believes that joining tech communities, both online and offline, helped her immensely in building her skills and confidence.
She also stresses the importance of interpersonal skills, which are often overlooked in the tech industry. “Communication skills are critical, especially when negotiating salaries and working with teams,” she explains. Emotional intelligence, in her view, is just as important as technical skills. “Knowing who you’re working with and how to relate to them is key to success in any team setting.”
When reflecting on her journey, Micheline offers advice to her younger self that could resonate with anyone just starting in their career. “Stick to your values. Tough days will come, but be strong and stay true to what you believe in,” she says. She also encourages people not to be afraid of carving their own path, even if they don’t have a specific role model. “You can be your own role model,” she adds.
