From Stadiums to Business hubs: Rwanda’s sports Minister says Africa’s sports future lies in technology, health and investment

At the Africa CEO Forum 2026 taking place in Kigali, Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, said the future of sports in Africa will be driven by three major pillars: science and technology, healthy communities, and business investment.

Speaking during a panel discussion alongside Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the two leaders discussed the growing role of sports in transforming Africa’s economy and creating new opportunities beyond the playing field.

Mukazayire said sports should no longer be viewed only as entertainment or competition, but as an economic sector capable of generating jobs, attracting investors and supporting tourism. She explained that modern sports infrastructure must go beyond stadiums and arenas to include businesses and services that create long-term economic value.

“When we build a stadium, that is sports infrastructure,” she said. “But when we add restaurants and hotels around it, we are creating more value. Looking at investments that create value and promote what we do, I believe that is where the future of sports lies.”

She also highlighted the increasing importance of science and technology in sports, particularly in athlete performance, health monitoring, fan engagement and digital broadcasting, saying these innovations will shape how African sports compete globally in the coming years.

Amadou Gallo Fall stressed that for sports to have a meaningful economic impact across Africa, the continent needs focused and long-term investment in the sector. He said discussions about the potential of basketball in Africa have existed for decades, but the time has come to build strong foundations that can sustain growth.

“We spent decades talking about the opportunities in basketball, but we decided to start from the ground up,” he said. “We realized there was a need for courts, equipment for young players to develop their talent, and infrastructure. But later we also understood the importance of talent development and how to commercialize that talent on the international market.”

Fall added that one of the league’s biggest priorities is expanding its fan base and strengthening audience engagement across digital platforms. According to him, BAL now reaches more than 720 million followers across social media platforms, reflecting the growing international interest in African basketball.

The discussions at the Africa CEO Forum 2026 reflected a broader vision shared by policymakers, investors and sports executives: positioning sports as a key driver of Africa’s economic transformation. Participants emphasized that sports can support tourism, create employment opportunities, attract international investment and empower young people across the continent.

As African countries continue investing in sports infrastructure and digital innovation, leaders at the forum argued that the sector is increasingly becoming one of the continent’s emerging business frontiers rather than simply a source of entertainment.

Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, speaks during a panel discussion at the Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali