348 - From Tanzania to Tech: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation
Listening to Data: How Joseph Rutakangwa of Rwazi is Transforming Global Decision-Making
In a powerful episode of the Listening with Leaders Podcast, Doug Noll sat down with Joseph Rutakangwa, Founder and CEO of Rwazi, to uncover how data-driven decision-making can fuel growth, inclusion, and innovation worldwide. From humble beginnings in Tanzania to leading a tech company with operations in over 190 countries, Joseph’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and the kind of leadership that listens—both to people and the data behind their stories.
Turning Data into Decisions That Drive Change
Joseph’s entrepreneurial story is rooted in both personal adversity and global vision. Growing up in Tanzania, his family experienced firsthand the impact of economic instability and scarcity. Those early challenges instilled in him an unshakable belief that every obstacle is an opportunity to think differently. That mindset would later shape Rwazi, a company built to bridge the gap between global brands and the real-world consumers they serve.
Rwazi operates at the intersection of data, technology, and human insight—helping businesses across industries access reliable, real-time market intelligence from emerging markets. Rather than relying on outdated or third-party data, Rwazi collects first-hand insights directly from consumers and local networks across 6,000 languages and 190 countries. This commitment to zero-party data ensures accuracy, cultural relevance, and ethical sourcing. As Joseph explained, “AI is only as smart as the quality of the data it’s fed.” By focusing on data integrity, Rwazi provides context-rich intelligence that helps organizations make informed, impactful decisions.
During the conversation, Joseph and Doug explored how great leadership and great data share a common foundation—listening. Joseph emphasized that the best business decisions come from understanding both explicit and unspoken feedback. Whether he’s guiding his global remote team or developing new AI-driven products, Joseph applies the same principle: listen deeply, act with clarity, and measure what truly matters. His story is a masterclass in transforming empathy and curiosity into strategic advantage.
About Joseph Rutakangwa
Joseph Rutakangwa is the Founder and CEO of Rwazi, a global data platform that empowers businesses to make smarter decisions with real-time consumer insights. A serial entrepreneur and innovator, Joseph has been recognized for his work in bridging technology and human understanding to drive inclusive economic growth.
About Rwazi
Rwazi is a market intelligence platform that provides access to accurate, actionable data from consumers across emerging markets. By combining human input with AI-powered analytics, Rwazi enables brands to understand behavior, measure performance, and make data-driven decisions that create value for both companies and communities.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Key Episode Highlights
How Rwazi turns real-world data into actionable global insights
The power of listening as a leadership and business skill
Why quality, context, and ethics matter more than data volume
Lessons in resilience and adaptability from building across continents
How AI and human understanding can work together for social impact
Conclusion
My conversation with Joseph Rutakangwa was a profound reminder that listening is the cornerstone of both leadership and innovation. His work at Rwazi illustrates how ethical data collection and thoughtful analysis can empower organizations to make decisions that not only drive profit but also promote understanding and inclusion. Joseph’s journey proves that when leaders listen—to people, to data, and to themselves—they create the conditions for transformation on a global scale.
Explore Doug Noll’s website to learn more about leadership insights and resources.
Apply to be a guest on the Listening with Leaders Podcast here.
