Ntiranyibagirwa Ange, who once played for Rwanda’s national league, still plays football every Sunday.The instincts he learned on the now guide his work across the Bank of Kigali Group.
Football has been a constant presence in Ntiranyibagirwa Ange’s life, long before he stepped into his role as head of finance at Bank of Kigali Group. It is the passion he held in his youth, when he had dreams of playing in international leagues. The game grounds him and offers a contrast to the high pressure environment he works in.
“I enjoy soccer. In my free time I like to relate with people playing soccer. I was in the first league of Rwanda back in 2000 when I was at campus. I am a fan of Real Madrid and Arsenal and I have had a chance to experience life at Emirates playing with Arsenal veterans. Football is my passion,” he says.
Ange carries that passion into his leadership style, describing himself as a team player and strategist on and off the pitch. This way of thinking underpins how he approaches his work, as he believes people perform best when they are supported. His satisfaction comes from seeing people rise to the expectations set for them.
“I enjoy being a team player. When I sit in the management team, as a CFO, it gives me energy to participate with the team and contribute in a meaningful way,” he explains.
The pitch also taught him the value of scanning the environment before making a move. He warns that in finance, where understanding the competitive landscape is essential, CFOs who fail to assess risks early are likely to become reactive rather than forward looking. This awareness has been central to his progression.
“If you are in a business environment, you want to scan the market to see the opportunities. That is how you do your projections and know where you have been left behind and where you need to catch up. CFOs do not need to be followers. Scanning helps you to see what the market is telling you. That is what defines a true CFO,” he says.
Holding on to passion
Ange is of the view that every finance function should be prepared for continuity. Wherever he has worked, he has made a point of preparing two successors, as he believes strong teams succeed whether their leader is present or not. What stands out most is how naturally the sport and his professional life mirror each other. Ange sees leadership as partnership. In both worlds, he values teamwork.
“I want to leave a legacy where I have worked, and building a strong team is part of that. I believe in people, and when you have the attitude and the culture to learn, you can do it,” he explains.
When Ange talks about football, the conversation often turns to community. He still plays on Sundays with his peers and leads one of the clubs they formed together. The game is a way for him to stay connected to a part of himself that his work in finance cannot replace. Those moments on the pitch remind him of where he started and why the sport remains his favourite place to unwind.
His dream is to watch Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu one day. It is a personal milestone he hopes to reach in the coming years and one that would add another memory to a lifetime shaped by the game he loves.
“I can still score goals. Football is my passion. I was vice president of a club among the top four in the country. I lead one of the Sunday clubs and enjoy the soccer environment the most,” he says.
