BDO East Africa (Rwanda) Ltd celebrated its 10th anniversary on Monday, July 7, at the Kigali Marriott Hotel, marking a decade of growth, service, and impact in Rwanda’s professional services sector. The celebration brought together the firm’s leadership at the country, regional, and global levels, alongside clients, partners, and key stakeholders. Part of a global network operating in over 160 countries, BDO Rwanda has become one of the most prominent players in financial advisory, assurance and compliance. ALSO READ: BDO Rwanda hosts tax workshop to navigate law changes Speaking at the ceremony, Emmanuel Habineza, Managing Partner of BDO EA Rwanda Ltd, reflected on the firm’s journey since its establishment as a greenfield operation in 2015. “We began as a very small firm with competent people who had dreams and aspirations that looked difficult to achieve. Ten years later, we have close to 100 full-time staff, and nearly 500 people have benefited from employment with us over the years,” he said. Habineza noted that the firm has generated millions in income, including $4 million in exported services, contributing to Rwanda’s growing footprint in the regional professional services market. “In 10 years, we have moved from being a firm that required hand-holding to becoming hand-holders for other new BDO firms in the region. Today, we support BDO offices in countries as far as Congo-Brazzaville, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea,” he added. Beyond internal growth, Habineza said BDO plays a key role in strengthening Rwanda’s business environment and boosting investor confidence through its client support. He added, “The income we generate today could have gone abroad if there were no local capabilities. Now, we export Rwandan-trained talent, support regional offices, and indirectly contribute to job creation, investment, and economic growth.” Trond-Morten Lindberg, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at BDO’s Global Office, underscored the global nature of BDO’s impact. ALSO READ: FEATURED: BDO global boss visits Rwanda, talks business support “What we’re doing in East Africa reflects a broader effort across our 166 firms worldwide. We serve close to one million clients globally, helping them achieve net-zero goals, social impact, and good governance. Our reach goes far beyond our 120,000 staff — the real impact is what we help our clients achieve.” He also noted BDO’s role in fostering knowledge-based economies. “It’s not just about education, it’s about automation, innovation, and modern ways of working. By sharing knowledge and best practices from client to client, we help drive economic transformation. Together with others in the industry, we’re playing an instrumental role in shaping the future, in Rwanda and globally.” Sandeep Khapre, Regional CEO of BDO East Africa, said the firm is committed to future-facing advisory, particularly in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters. ALSO READ: Rwanda's ESG regulations propel business advisory demand “We’re currently providing ESG services to a major manufacturing client in Rwanda, in partnership with a global BDO network firm. We’re also leading by example. BDO Rwanda’s path to Net-Zero is certified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with a commitment to reduce our carbon footprint by 42 per cent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.” Khapre added that BDO has already implemented additional sustainability practices, such as planting 10,000 trees across the region. Looking ahead, he said the firm is expanding into new areas like data analytics, artificial intelligence, and green consulting. “These services will allow Rwandan business landscape to leapfrog and gain both competitive and comparative advantages. BDO is committed to being a leader in these areas, not just in Rwanda, but across every market we operate in.” Hortense Mudenge, Chief Strategy Officer at Rwanda Finance Limited, credited BDO for its role in shaping the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC). “BDO guided us in understanding Rwanda’s tax, policy, and regulatory environment, which significantly shaped our strategy. They were instrumental in providing a blueprint for the legal and policy frameworks we use today.” In the private sector, BDO’s long-term partnerships have had an equally significant impact. Jean Claude Uwizeyemungu, Managing Director of Mahwi Grain Millers, said the firm has worked with BDO since its inception eight years ago. “They’ve supported us in advisory, accounting, and tax compliance. Recently, we reached a major milestone, preparing to list on the Rwanda Stock Exchange, and BDO played a crucial role in making that happen. They’re more than a service provider; they’re a key and trusted partner.”
