From the heart of Kigali rises a visionary reshaping how millions move across Africa. Patrick Buchana, Founder and CEO of AC Group, has turned an everyday challenge, public transport inefficiency, into one of Rwanda’s proudest innovation stories.
Through Tap&Go, his groundbreaking cashless fare payment system, Buchana has not only modernised commuting for over 1.5 million users in Rwanda and Cameroon but also positioned his company as a model of African ingenuity in motion.
Born to Rwandan parents who fled to Uganda during the genocide, Patrick’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless purpose. His early life, marked by displacement and determination, gave him a worldview that blends humility with global ambition.
Trained in electronics and telecommunications, he carried his technical brilliance into entrepreneurship and later deepened his leadership craft at Harvard and Stanford, where he studied innovation, leadership, and design thinking.
The spark behind AC Group came from frustration, watching commuters lose precious time to outdated systems. Patrick decided to change that narrative.
With boldness and clarity, he built a digital ecosystem that makes public transport not just faster but smarter, safer, and more sustainable. His mission was never just about digital payments, it was about transforming the daily rhythm of African cities through technology and foresight.
Guided by what he calls the “Hedgehog concept”, the discipline of focusing on what you do best, Buchana’s leadership is both strategic and deeply human.
He leads with collaboration, curiosity, and courage, valuing the creativity of his team as much as the lessons that come from failure. “Failure is part of the journey,” he reminds fellow innovators. “It teaches you what doesn’t work and helps refine your approach.”
Patrick’s remarkable vision and impact have earned him global recognition. He was listed among Forbes’ Under 40 CEOs, a testament to his entrepreneurial brilliance and the transformative power of his work in Africa’s transport and technology sectors.
Today, Patrick Buchana stands as one of Africa’s new-generation trailblazers, visionary yet grounded, bold yet compassionate. His work goes beyond technology; it’s about building trust, enabling leadership, and redefining what it means to move forward as a continent.
Anchored by integrity, respect, and national pride, he continues to steer AC Group and Africa’s mobility future with one simple belief: innovation must serve people first.
