The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) and Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports have confirmed a partnership to co-host the Policymakers Roundtable at the second edition of the SportsBiz Africa Forum (SBA 2025), taking place in Kigali from September 9–10, 2025.
Launched just last year, the Forum has quickly established itself as Africa’s flagship platform for advancing sports as a driver of socio-economic growth and investment.
Africa’s sports industry, currently worth between US$12 and US$15 billion, is projected to grow by 8% annually, potentially surpassing US$20 billion in the coming years.
However, its contribution to the continent’s GDP remains at 0.5%, significantly lower than the global average of 2%.
A survey by the African Sports and Creative Institute (ASCI), covering 3,000 professionals, cited governance challenges, poor infrastructure, limited human capital, and lack of finance as major hurdles.
The Policymakers Roundtable will convene ministers, private sector executives, multilateral agencies, and civil society leaders to align strategies with the AU Sports Policy Framework and Agenda 2063.
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Key focus areas include investment incentives, governance reforms, and data-driven policies to strengthen Africa’s sports ecosystem.
Rwanda’s Sports Minister, Nelly Mukazayire, said the initiative could be transformative:
“This Roundtable marks a pivotal step in unlocking the potential of Africa’s sports industry. By aligning our national policies with Agenda 2063, we aim to drive job creation, innovation, and socio-economic development across the continent.”
Dr. Decius Chipande, Head of the AUSC, stressed the continental impact:
“This partnership represents every African country and reflects our commitment to turning challenges into opportunities. It will empower investors and communities to help Africa’s sports sector reach its full global potential.”
Alongside the Roundtable, SBA 2025 will introduce The Dealroom, a new platform connecting investors with high-impact sports business opportunities across the continent.