L. Nshuti MBABAZI
Managing Director, Better Than Cash Alliance (United Nations)
Nshuti is the Global Managing Director at the United Nations-hosted Better Than Cash Alliance. Since 2020, she has been leading the Alliance’s Africa Policy, Advocacy & Partnerships efforts, working with regional and continental organizations to accelerate the adoption and usage of digital payments as a catalyst for digital financial inclusion for every African. Her leadership has been instrumental in integrating responsible digital payments and digital public infrastructure into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade, demonstrating her impactful role in advancing financial inclusion across Africa.
Before joining the United Nations, Nshuti served as Ecobank Group Manager, Push Payments & Merchant Acquiring, leading the development and deployment of merchant payment solutions across 33 countries in Africa; as Country Manager for Rwanda, Burundi, and Malawi for Visa Inc.; and as Strategy and Policy Advisor to the Rwanda Development Board IT Department.
Nshuti is President Emeritus of Girls in ICT Rwanda, inspiring Rwandan and African girls to pursue careers in STEM. She also served as Board Chair Emeritus of Leo Africa Institute, nurturing Young & Emerging Leaders across Africa. Her previous roles include Non-Executive Director of BBOXX Rwanda, powering Rwandan homes with solar electricity, and Chair of Rwanda Internet Community Association (RICTA), supporting national digital initiatives. Additionally, she was an Advisory Board Member to Girl Effect, empowering Rwanda’s adolescent girls to reach their full potential, demonstrating her broad leadership in technology and social development.
Nshuti holds a Master of Science in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology & Management from Laroche University. She is currently a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative East Africa Class of 2027, part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, underscoring her dedication to continuous leadership development and her commitment to shaping Africa’s future.