KIGALI – Rwanda’s growing reputation as a continental sports destination is set for another boost as the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship returns to Kigali for an expanded second edition in September 2026.
Organized by SportsBiz Africa, the tournament will take place from September 10 to 13 at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, promising a stronger field, increased global attention, and a bigger competitive platform for African golf.
The championship, part of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, returns on the back of a successful inaugural edition in 2025 that helped position Rwanda on the global golfing map.
Last year’s tournament attracted 105 players from 12 countries, including participants from Europe and the Americas. It also made history as the first competition in Rwanda to award both Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
The 2025 edition was memorably won by Rwandan professional Celestin Nsanzuwera, whose victory on home soil marked a turning point for the sport locally. His triumph not only boosted his international standing but also signaled Rwanda’s transition from a fringe golf destination into an emerging competitive force.
Rwandan pro Celestin Nsanzuwera is joined in celebrations by his fellow golfers following his triumph at the SunDev East Africa Johnnie Walker Classic in Diani-min.
Expanding Opportunity and Global Reach
The 2026 edition is expected to attract over 150 professional and amateur golfers from across Africa and beyond, underlining the tournament’s rapid growth and increasing appeal.
Players will compete in a three-day, 54-hole format for a prize purse of USD 25,000 (approximately RWF 36.5 million), alongside valuable ranking points on both professional and amateur circuits.
According to Charles Gacheru, the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Promoter, the tournament is becoming a critical platform for African golfers to access global opportunities.
“The success of the inaugural event in Kigali demonstrated the untapped potential within the region, both in terms of talent and the ability to host world-class tournaments,” he said.
This year, the organizers are building on that foundation by expanding participation and creating more competitive opportunities for players to earn ranking points and progress within the global golf structure.
Beyond competition, organizers say the championship is part of a broader strategy to connect sport with business and long-term development. Christian Gakwaya, the SportsBiz Africa Forum Lead emphasized that the event plays a bigger role in shaping Rwanda’s sports economy.
“This championship is part of SBA’s vision to build world-class sporting assets that connect sport with business and drive sustainable development,” he said.
“As we grow this event into a recurring, high-level platform, we are not only showcasing Rwanda as a premier destination for international sport, but also creating meaningful opportunities for local talent, partners, and the wider sports ecosystem,” he added.
Rwanda Golf Union Chairman, Amb. Bill Kayonga presents the winner’s prize to Celestin Nsanzuwera, winner of the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship in Kigali.
Strengthening Rwanda’s Sporting Ambition
The return of the championship comes at a time when Rwanda is steadily positioning itself as a hub for international sporting events.
With an expanded calendar under the Sunshine Development Tour, including 14 events across East Africa and a new West African leg in Nigeria, the Kigali tournament promises to play a central role in strengthening pathways for African golfers to compete globally.
Ultimately, the growing scale of the Golf Championship reflects Rwanda’s continued investment in sport as a driver of visibility, opportunity, and economic growth on the continental stage.
The 2025 edition was memorably won by Rwandan professional Celestin Nsanzuwera.
