Yvonne Makolo

Yvonne Manzi Makolo is a Rwandan IT specialist who serves as the managing director and chief executive officer of Rwandair, the national airline of Rwanda, She was appointed to that position on 6 April 2018.  Prior to that, she was the Deputy CEO at the airline, responsible for corporate affairs, from April 2017 until April 2018.

On 5 June 2023, Yvonne Makolo, the CEO of RwandAir, assumed office as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). She became the 81st chair of the IATA BoG and the first woman to take on this role, an impetus in the organ’s global initiative of driving gender balance within the aviation industry. Makolo succeeds Mehmet Tevfik Nane, Pegasus Airlines Chairperson of the Board. In her remarks, she said that leading a medium-sized airline in Africa has instilled in her a unique perspective on issues that airlines hold in common.

She was born in DRC. In 1993, she voluntarily migrated to Canada. Ten years later, in 2003 she returned to her native Rwanda. She and her older sister were raised by a single mother, Yvonne's father having died when the daughters were very young. Her sister is the Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo. Makolo has specialized training in information technology and has worked as a software developer, both in Canada and Rwanda. Yvonne Makolo holds a BA Hons degree from McGill University in Canada and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Information Technology.

In 2006, she joined MTN Rwanda, a leading telecommunications service provider in the country. Over time, she rose through the ranks to the position of chief marketing officer (CMO) and also concurrently was the chief executive officer (CEO), in an acting capacity.

In April 2017, when the Cabinet of Rwanda made management changes at Rwandair, Makolo was appointed Deputy CEO, responsible for Corporate Affairs. One year later, in another managerial change at the national airline, she was appointed to the position of managing director and chief executive officer at Rwandair.

In November 2021, Makolo was interviewed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). During that interview, she was asked what it would take for African aviation to revive. She believes governments must provide more support for aviation. "However, this does not always imply financial assistance".

Makolo is the 81st chair of the IATA BoG and the first woman to take on this role. She has served on the BoG since November 2020. She succeeds Pegasus Airlines Chairperson of the Board Mehmet Tevfik Nane who will continue to serve on the BoG.

When asked she replied, “I am honored and pleased to take on this important role. IATA plays a critical role for all airlines—big and small, various business models, and in all corners of the world. Leading a medium-sized airline in Africa gives me a unique perspective on issues that airlines hold in common. At the top of the agenda are decarbonization, improving safety, the transformation to modern airline retailing, and ensuring we have cost-efficient infrastructure. I am particularly pleased to be taking on this role as IATA launches Focus Africa with the aim of unifying the continent’s stakeholders so that together we can strengthen the contribution of aviation to Africa’s social and economic development,” said Makolo.

In June 2022, Makolo was recognized by the International Hospitality Institute on the Global 100 in Hospitality, a list featuring the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality.

Quotes

• Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO RwandAir, says the air transport industry must continue to improve diversity
  • Interview by Graham Newton.Makolo says airlines.iata.org(9 november 2021)
• [Yvonne Makolo Cargo is of ever-increasing importance for the aviation industry, and as a landlocked country, we recognize the importance and
  • [1] cma
• [The only disability in life is a bad attitude. Women Power Africa 's Post
  • [2] Women Power Africa's Post (May 5, 2003)
• the new freighter will play a significant role in RwandAir’s operations. “The delivery of our dedicated cargo aircraft is a huge milestone in RwandAir’s fleet expansion plans,”
  • Makolo said AEROIME (2 DECEMBER 2022)
• I find it necessary that, from the beginning, you make it clear that you are not there to play; there is a reason why you are there and that you know what you are doing,
  • "[http://africawomenexperts.com/lng/en/2021/08/yvonne-makolo-at-the-helm-of-the-rwandan-airline/ "she said in an interview with the New York Times"
• I think that there is some difference. I believe that women leaders are more empathetic, so they relate more to what’s happening in their teams’ lives.  I think we have to be a little bit tougher, more assertive but we do have that soft side to us as well and in most cases, we manage to balance the two.
  • Women can do what men can and sometimes even better, says MTN’s Yvonne Makolo. The New Times. (September 29, 2016).
• I would walk into a meeting and I would be the only woman there. I find that it’s necessary that right from the beginning, you make it clear that you are not there to play; there is a reason why you are in that position and that you know what you are doing.
  • Women can do what men can and sometimes even better, says MTN’s Yvonne Makolo. The New Times. (September 29, 2016).
• I have learnt that the toughest thing about being a leader is managing people.
  • Women can do what men can and sometimes even better, says MTN’s Yvonne Makolo. The New Times. (September 29, 2016).
• I have also learnt that you come to work to do a job not to please people or make friends.
  • Women can do what men can and sometimes even better, says MTN’s Yvonne Makolo. The New Times. (September 29, 2016).
  • “RwandAir is proud to be a partner of the Basketball Africa League and we are excited to see the Rwandan Development Board continue to bring world-class basketball to Rwanda. We know how sport can bring communities together as teams compete to win and celebrate the power of teamwork and know the extended partnership will further strengthen those bonds,
    • TILL 2028: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RENEWED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RWANDA & THE BAL KT PRESS (19 jun 2023).
  • I am honored and delighted to assume this important role. IATA plays a crucial role for all airlines, big and small, with various business models in every corner of the world. Leading a medium-sized airline in Africa offers me a unique perspective on the issues that airlines have in common. Decarbonization, safety improvement, transforming airlines into modern retailers, and ensuring cost-efficient infrastructure are at the top of the agenda.
    • Rwanda: Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, the first woman to chair IATA The New Times (June 5, 2023)