Marie Laetitia Gatesi Mugabo : a bold vision for an Africa that tells its own story

By Insaf Boughdiri

Marie Laetitia Gatesi Mugabo is much more than a successful entrepreneur. A Pan-African activist and devoted mother, she represents a rare combination of resilience and ambition. A visionary leader, she has made it her mission to showcase Africa’s vibrancy beyond its borders through media that promote hope, dignity, and transformation.

A journey marked by resilience and learning

Born in a Rwanda undergoing profound change, Marie Laetitia Gatesi Mugabo did not follow a conventional path. Denied access to secondary education in her youth, yet passionate about mechanics, she pursued a technical route and determinedly learned the art of engines and spare parts. For ten years, she worked in an auto parts store—an initially rigid environment that instilled in her a strong sense of discipline and a deep understanding of business mechanics. With the support of her husband, she opened her first store, which she soon diversified by adding a restaurant in an emerging area.

Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, not an excuse to give up

At 35, encouraged by her husband and driven by an insatiable desire to grow, she returned to school. Studying while managing a business and raising children? This challenge could have seemed overwhelming, but Laetitia tackled it head-on. Balancing secondary studies, business, and family, she eventually joined university, specializing in management. This demanding journey equipped her with invaluable tools to bring her ambitious projects to life.

Isango Star: The voice of a united and connected Africa

Why invest in radio and television when already firmly established in business? Marie Laetitia Gatesi Mugabo’s answer is strikingly clear: “Africa must tell its own stories.” Convinced that the continent must reclaim its narrative—away from externally imposed narratives—she dedicated herself to creating spaces where African cultures are highlighted, where Africans can converse, connect, and recognize themselves in authentic programming.

To her, these media platforms are more than just businesses; they are vehicles for social transformation, tools for education, women’s empowerment, and platforms for building a shared future. In 2009, she co-founded Isango Star Radio with her husband, a professional journalist. But the journey did not stop there. In 2016, staying true to her Pan-African vision, she co-founded Isango TV, a generalist channel combining news, culture, and entertainment. Broadcast on Canal+ and accessible online, the channel quickly became a hub of inspiration and unity, embodying Laetitia’s dream: an Africa that tells its own story and rises together.

“Africa must not be a spectator. It must write its own narrative,” affirms Laetitia Gatesi Mugabo. This philosophy led her to launch ambitious television projects such as “Africa Youth Style”, a co-production with a Ghanaian media outlet, and a Pan-African news program, aiming to rewrite the continent’s history and strengthen its connection to its own destiny.

A Pan-African commitment to women’s leadership

Beyond the screen, Laetitia Gatesi Mugabo actively champions women’s empowerment. As co-founder of REGIWO (Girl and Women Transformation Center), she works to provide vulnerable women with the means to achieve financial independence.

A passionate representative of the International Forum of Women Entrepreneurs (FIED), she travels the world advocating for these platforms and amplifying the voice of African women in leadership. Every meeting, every exchange, every journey is an opportunity to forge strong bonds with influential women from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing her commitment to an international community of female entrepreneurs.

I firmly believe that African women have a crucial role to play in the global economy. We must not only support each other but also embrace international opportunities to connect, learn, and innovate together

Next May, she will bring together brilliant minds in Kigali, Rwanda, for a conference she is organizing under the theme: “The Leadership of African Businesses on a Global Scale: Connecting and Sharing Experiences.” This event promises to be a landmark occasion for showcasing African excellence on the international stage.

The legacy of an African activist and visionary

A mother of five, Laetitia draws her strength from her family. Despite her countless responsibilities, she ensures she dedicates time to her loved ones, whom she considers her primary source of motivation. “I work for my children and for future generations. Every step I take is a promise to them.”

With Isango Star, Laetitia is not just building a business—she is shaping a legacy. Her projects extend beyond television screens, touching hearts and instilling new hope in a continent striving for its future. Marie Laetitia Gatesi Mugabo is not just a media entrepreneur; she is a driving force of Pan-Africanism, an inspiration for those who dare to dream big.

Her story is an electrifying invitation to believe that, step by step, Africa can boldly and proudly write its own destiny.