Kigali is set to host the third edition of the SportsBiz Africa Forum from September 10 to 11, 2026, bringing together sports leaders, investors, policymakers, athletes, technology companies and business executives from across Africa and beyond.
Held at the Kigali Convention Centre, this year’s forum will focus on the theme “The Nexus Between Sports and Business Towards Africa’s Development.” Organisers say the event is designed to move the conversation around African sport beyond competition and toward its wider economic and investment potential.
A key feature of the forum will be the Investors Dealroom, which will connect investors with selected sports-related businesses and projects seeking capital and partnerships. A dedicated Policymakers and Stakeholders Roundtable will also bring together government officials, private-sector leaders and other stakeholders to explore policies that can strengthen sport’s contribution to Africa’s development.
The programme will also examine some of the biggest changes shaping the industry, including artificial intelligence, data analytics, fan engagement, sports infrastructure, governance and commercialisation. One session will specifically explore how AI and data are transforming scouting, performance, content and business decisions in African sport.
The forum will extend beyond business discussions, with an Esports Gamefest, golf championship and professional development initiatives forming part of the wider SportsBiz Africa platform. The golf championship is part of the Sunshine Development Tour’s East Africa Swing, while the esports programme highlights the growing role of gaming as both a competitive sport and an emerging economic sector.
Organisers say the gathering reflects Africa’s growing sports audience and the need for stronger investment, institutions and commercial structures to turn the continent’s sporting potential into sustainable economic opportunities.
The forum comes at a time when sports business in Africa is increasingly intersecting with technology, entertainment, tourism and investment, positioning Kigali as a meeting point for stakeholders looking to shape the continent’s next phase of sports development.
