Kigali has been awarded the rights to host the next two editions of the African Cycling Excellence Awards (ACEA), a significant event aimed at celebrating the achievements of cyclists across the continent.
The announcement was made by Freddy Kamuzinzi, Managing Director of Kamz Events Group, which has been entrusted by the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) to organize the awards for the next four years. The first event is scheduled to take place at Zaria Court from November 28-29, where Africa’s top cyclists will compete for honors in various categories.
Kamuzinzi expressed excitement about bringing the awards to Rwanda, citing the country’s recent success in hosting the 2025 UCI Road World Championships as a motivating factor. This event marked a historic moment as it was the first time the prestigious cycling championship was held on African soil since its inception in 1921.
“We are thrilled to share that the first two editions — 2025 and 2026 — will be hosted in Rwanda, a nation that continues to lead by example in promoting cycling as a sport, a lifestyle, and a vehicle for social impact,” Kamuzinzi stated during a media briefing in Kigali on November 12.
The ACEA aims to recognize African cycling excellence across different categories, from amateur to professional cyclists. Kamuzinzi noted that while there was a previous awards ceremony, it was not affiliated with the CAC and has since been discontinued. “Today, this is not only for Rwanda but for all of Africa,” he added.
Public voting for the ACEA 2025 was open from October 31 to November 8, allowing thousands of cycling enthusiasts and athletes across Africa to cast their votes for the best in the sport. Categories include Best African Male Cyclist, Best African Female Cyclist, Best African Amateur, and Best African Cycling Team.
In addition to the main categories, Rwanda will also present special honors to celebrate regional excellence, including awards for the Best Rwandan Male Elite Cyclist, Best Rwandan Female Elite Cyclist, and honorary awards for male and female cyclists from the East African Community.
Kamuzinzi explained that the inclusion of special awards for Rwandan cyclists is a way to recognize local talent, and future host countries of the ACEA will also have the opportunity to honor their local riders.
The Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) is responsible for selecting the best Rwandan cyclists, with the federation tasked to identify the winners by November 16.
For the Best Amateur category, it was introduced to acknowledge the many African riders who do not have contracts with professional teams and compete independently.
Kamuzinzi, who also serves as the Director General of Tour du Rwanda, clarified that the voting process is based on races shortlisted on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar. Voters include cycling enthusiasts, sports journalists, and federation representatives.
The 2025 edition will award cyclists based on their performance from October 2024 until the conclusion of the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali. While the winners in each category are already known, they have yet to be publicly announced.
Source: New Times Rwanda
Key Points
- Kigali to host ACEA for 2025 and 2026 editions.
- First event scheduled for November 28-29, 2025.
- Public voting for awards took place from October 31 to November 8.
- Categories include Best African Cyclist and Best Amateur.
- Special awards for Rwandan cyclists to be presented.
