Kemi Ajumobi 
BOOK: SEED
AUTHOR: Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa
PUBLISHER: IWA
The Seed was a call Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa answered because it had always been laid upon her heart to write a book. So, after a conversation with her, we agreed it was time. The timing was short because she was just about to hand over as the Deputy Chair of the AU, but we both agreed we would make it work and it did. It was tough and demanding. When I put my mind to something, it takes a lot because I always want things to turn out very well. We didn’t have much time.
She had responsibilities at work but I must say, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa’s grace at multitasking is highly commendable. A woman of honour and grace, yet humble and understood that she had my deadlines to meet and she aligned. As busy as her schedule was, she made time and like they say the rest is history.
Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa’s book speaks of her journey through life and her earnest desire for the AU. I was captivated by her matchless brainpower and leadership as I looked through her story. Her illustrious service in Rwanda’s governance and her influential role within the African Union paints a portrait of a woman whose impact rises above borders.
The journey to publish SEED was a proof of her meekness and dedication to sharing knowledge. Dr. Monique approached the process with grace and openness, appreciating every recommendation and guidance given. Her collaboration validated a balance of humility and purposefulness, making the experience as her publisher both enriching and gratifying.
SEED encapsulates her inspiring journey, providing depth into her intentional vision and dogged dedication to Africa’s progress. Each page shows her depth of wisdom and the forte characteristic of a leader committed to advancement and unity. Publishing SEED was indeed a worthy endeavour, it gives inspiration to leaders and future leaders, and her narrative is a testament to her extraordinary legacy. Her story is an example of what leadership means, making this book as transformative as the woman it depicts.
– Kemi Ajumobi
Publisher, SEED
Founder/Group CEO, Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA)
A Journey of Achieving Significance through Persistence and Reform, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa offers a deeply insightful account that blends personal experience with continental vision. As Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, I had the privilege of working closely with her during her last couple of months in her tenure as the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission. This was a defining period when the AU underwent visionary reforms spearheaded by H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda. Her chapters from “Healing and Rebuilding a Nation” to “The Africa We Want” demonstrate persistence, humility, and reform-minded leadership. What stands out most is her unique ability to connect service, institutional transformation, and Africa’s integration agenda. SEED is not only a powerful testimony of her journey but also a timely guide for leaders and citizens both at national and continental level committed to sowing and delivering values that will yield unity, sovereignty and prosperity.
– Ambassador Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Charles Karamba
Ambassador of Rwanda to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to AU & UNECA
I was privileged to learn about how SEED was conceived by Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa at the end of her service at the African Union Commission. It is a great achievement within a very short period, thanks to her spirit of passion and hard work.
THE SEED depicts the early beginnings of Dr. Monique; and how everything in her life built up from her childhood to a current champion of leadership, women economic empowerment, organisational systems, and reforms.
For her, the future of the AU requires continued realigning of its institutions, policies and programs with the geopolitical and geostrategic mutations, as well as an inward reflection to search for African solutions, while tapping into the vast African resources. Furthermore, she cautions the AU to have a position that protects African interests and to have mechanisms by which member states can implement the AU pronouncements.
Culminated in her extraordinary service at the African Union Commission as the first female deputy chairperson; Dr. Monique considers all her personal and professional effort as a PLANTED SEED to yield possibilities and encouragement for the next generation of African leaders.
THE SEED is indeed a special gem that poetically depicts an inspirational personal story spiced with profound leadership achievements and persuasion to passion, hard work, organisational systems, reforms and change management.
– Fr. Denis Mugalula C.S.Sp
SEED: A journey of achieving significance through persistence and reform
The Book offers powerful detailed rendition of its title and gives relevant expressions of the idea the Author intended to communicate to the readers. I personally find this book a must read for people who are ready to assume the journey of destiny to achieve significance, impact and also to make change in every facet of their life.
From the primary thoughts from the point where she begins with the farmer and the garden really brings reality to initiation of greatness in a man’s life where uncertainties and a lot of things are happening outside your expectations, but in the end, with faith in the Most-High God, it leads one to a colourful end.
I personally find her work intellectually inspirational from her beginnings in her hometown at Byimana. The author narrates her story which has really touched me especially when she was denied admission to government school and later moving to the city of Kigali with Aunty Felicula the opportunity she later got to attend the National University of Rwanda to read Economics.
She exudes a very high-level of passion when it comes to issues of the African continent and its developmental transformation with the African Union’s instrumental role. She has sufficient amount of commitment into this book.
And indeed, just as she has mentioned severally in the book, it makes it relevant and realistically impactful that, the life of a man is like a seed when the farmer plants it, it needs consistent effort, watering, clearing of unwanted weeds and other plants to get the SEED to germinate and grow into a great fruit. It is really a transformative moment to come across the information in this book.
– Dr. Nana Ohene Asante K. Brempong
University of Ghana, Legon
Accra-Ghana
The seed is a noble articulation and expression of an accomplished African female leader raised in the context of an African values, whose life was shaped by the deep-rooted values of Ubuntu, humility, with added ingredients of Christian principles, and the transformative power of education. These elements nurtured not just a daughter of a family, but a daughter of a community, a continent, and ultimately, a woman of global influence transcending Rwandan and African leaders.
The seed articulates the journey of a woman with many firsts, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa. Our paths crossed while she was diligently delivering one of those milestones: becoming the first female Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Despite all predecessors having been new, she occupied her space with confidence, grace, and authenticity bringing with her feminine traits that are often rare to find in a world still striving for gender balance, inclusion, and the conviction that women are fully capable.
One question often arose “How was she able to radiate such positive energy and peace in the complex, harsh, and unforgiving environment of the AU?” The seed in Chapter 2 offers part of the answer. It explains the consistent, genuine smile that was permanent on Monique’s face permanently, the power of a healed soul. This resonates deeply with what Oprah Winfrey articulated in the book “What Happened to You?”: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing. When healing occurs, we experience people of a different “Kind.” One example, our renowned African leader, Nelson Mandela, whose pain we befitted from because he allowed healing.
The success stories and achieved projects during Dr. Monique’s tenure mentioned in the book are tangible results with intangible impacts in the souls of those she worked with. Chapter 4, The Call to Serve, speaks how she received the call, talks to humanity, youth, women, and other leaders.
It opens the eyes and makes us see how we are all responsible for shaping the Africa we want. In a world obsessed with external pressure defeating how we should live, the pushback that confronts authenticity is unbearable. An intuition should always add to logical interpretation of advices, it’s not stubbornness, it’s a compelling thing that the “seed” presents, to be at peace with yourself as you lead, you are not always right, the humility of knowing you are simply human, and that there is a merciful God above all. Immerse yourself, plant a seed and the harvest will come.
– Botho K Bayendi
Director OSPD, AUC