The President of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body for rugby in Africa, Herbert Mensah, will explore the business of sport as part of a panel discussion at the 2024 Africa CEO Forum (www.TheAfricaCEOForum.com) in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday 16 May. 

In partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Africa CEO Forum is the largest annual gathering of Africa's private sector. Each year, the Africa CEO Forum brings together more than 2,000 African and international business leaders, policymakers and leading visionaries to discuss the continent's most pressing priorities and set its business agenda. 

Established in 2012, the Africa CEO Forum has facilitated dialogue between the public and private sectors, bringing together business leaders, CEOs, investors and heads of state to highlight the private sector's driving role in the continent's development. 

Previous speakers include Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Mozambique and Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of Botswana.  Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa (www.NBA.com), will join Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah on a panel discussion at the Africa CEO Forum to explore the business potential of Africa's sports industry. 

With the success stories of the Basketball Africa League, Morocco's joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup, the launch of the CAF Champions League, South Africa's Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup for the fourth time and the highly anticipated return of Formula 1 to the continent, Africa's sports industry is experiencing a boom. With the global sports market estimated to be worth over $600 billion (€560 billion) and growing at a steady rate of 5% per annum, Africa is looking for ways to transform and expand the sports industry. 

The President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, continues to emphasise the business potential of rugby across Africa. Since his election, Mensah has called for a change in attitude from African governments and international organisations to increase investment in rugby across Africa. President Mensah was a keynote speaker at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa 2023 and the 2023 Africa Investment Forum.

Rugby Africa is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of World Rugby's regional unions. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women's rugby. Rugby Africa organises a number of competitions including the Rugby World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Sevens, an Olympic qualifier. 

With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to the promotion and development of rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.