- The SportsBiz Africa Forum (SBA 2025) returns to Kigali, Rwanda, on September 9–10, 2025, reaffirming its position as the continent’s flagship platform for investment, innovation, and policy in sports. Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition in 2024, the Forum is once again set to convene government leaders, global investors, business executives, federations, athletes, and innovators to explore the power of sport as a driver of socio-economic transformation across Africa.
Africa’s sports industry, currently valued at between US$12 and US$15 billion, contributes just 0.5% to the continent’s GDP—far below the global average of 2%. With projections indicating annual growth rates of 5–10%, the Forum represents a vital opportunity to unlock this potential by addressing long-standing barriers such as governance gaps, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to finance. It is not merely a space for discussion, but a marketplace for ideas, partnerships, and actionable solutions that can shape the continent’s future.
A central feature of SBA 2025 will be the Policymakers Roundtable, co-hosted by the African Union Sports Council and Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports. This high-level dialogue will convene ministers, policymakers, and private sector leaders from across the continent to harmonize national policies, unlock investment, and align long-term strategies with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Alongside this, the Forum will also introduce The Dealroom, a groundbreaking investment platform designed to connect global investors with curated, high-potential ventures within Africa’s sports ecosystem. Complementing these initiatives is the SBA Education Programme, developed in partnership with the Johan Cruyff Institute, which will provide young African professionals with world-class training in sports management, marketing, and finance, equipping the next generation of leaders to drive the industry forward.
The Forum will also feature headline appearances by global sporting icons whose careers and stories continue to inspire millions. Nigerian football legend Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha will share insights from his remarkable journey, reflecting on career transition, youth empowerment, and the role of sport as a tool for community development. French judo superstar Clarisse Agbegnenou, a five-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated judokas in history, will bring her perspective on resilience, leadership, and inclusion, highlighting her advocacy for maternity rights and her role as a global ambassador for sport as a force for unity and peace. Their participation underscores the Forum’s commitment to blending high-level industry dialogue with powerful personal stories of athletes who embody excellence and social impact.
The 2024 edition of the SportsBiz Africa Forum left a strong impression, with unforgettable moments such as a young participant capturing a selfie with African football greats Kalusha Bwalya and El Hadji Diouf—an image that captured the Forum’s spirit of inspiration, accessibility, and generational impact. Building on that momentum, SBA 2025 promises to deliver an even more dynamic agenda, expanding the scope of dialogue, investment, and innovation to ensure that Africa’s sports economy reaches its full global potential.
At its core, the SportsBiz Africa Forum is a celebration of the fact that sport is more than entertainment—it is a catalyst for sustainable development, job creation, youth empowerment, and cultural influence. With strong enthusiasm from stakeholders across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, the 2025 edition in Kigali is poised to be a milestone event, positioning Africa as the next frontier for global sports business and investment.
The SportsBiz Africa Forum 2025 will take place on September 9–10, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.
“For live updates, exclusive content, and event coverage, follow the official SportsBiz Africa channels:
Instagram: @Sportsbizafrica
Twitter (X): @AfricaSportsbiz
LinkedIn: SportsBiz Africa
Facebook: AfricaSportsbiz
TikTok: @sportsbizafrica
Join the conversation and be part of shaping the future of Africa’s sports economy.”
this part was left out.
Stay Connected
