SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship Returns to Kigali for Even Bigger Second Edition

The championship, part of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, is set to return on a  larger scale, reinforcing Rwanda’s growing status as an emerging hub for competitive golf in Africa. 

Building on the groundbreaking inaugural edition in 2025, the tournament returns with increased  global interest and participation. Last year’s event attracted 105 golfers from 12 countries, including  players from Europe and the Americas, and made history as the first tournament in Rwanda to  award both Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points,  firmly placing the country on the global golfing map. 

The 2025 edition was won by Rwandan professional Celestin Nsanzuwera, whose home triumph  marked a defining moment for the sport in the country. His win not only boosted his international  ranking but also signalled a shift in Rwanda’s golf narrative from a niche pursuit to a competitive  sport with growing international relevance. 

The 2026 edition is expected to attract over 150 professional and amateur players from across Africa  and beyond, further elevating the tournament’s competitiveness and reach. The three-day, 54-hole  championship will feature a prize purse of USD 25,000 (RWF 36.5 million), alongside valuable Sunshine  Development Tour Order of Merit points, as well as OWGR and WAGR points. 

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Promoter  Charles Gacheru noted that the event continues to play a key role in strengthening Africa’s  competitive golf ecosystem. 

“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. This year, we 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,” he  said. 

Commenting on the tournament’s impact, SportsBiz Africa Forum Lead Christian Gakwaya  emphasised its contribution to Rwanda’s and the larger sporting landscape. 

“This championship is more than a tournament, it is part of SBA's vision to build world-class sporting  assets that connect sport with business and drive sustainable development. 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 said.

As Rwanda continues to position itself as a destination for international sporting events, the return  of the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship signals sustained momentum in the development of golf,  while strengthening pathways for African players to compete on the global stage. 

About the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing 

The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing is a professional golf tour providing elite African  players, both men and women, with high-quality, competitive tournaments, in partnership with  the Sunshine Tour. The 2026 season features an expanded calendar incorporating 14 events across  East Africa, with a new West Africa leg, the Alpha Bravo Golf Classic, set for Lagos, Nigeria.  

About the SportBiz Africa Forum  

The SportsBiz Africa Forum is an annual event dedicated to advancing sports as a driver for  sustainable development in Africa. Aligning with the African Union Agenda 2063, SportsBiz Africa recognises sports as a powerful catalyst for unity, solidarity, and socio-economic progress. The SBA  Golf Championship is one of its signature side-events. Others include the Policymakers Roundtable,  Investors Dealroom, SBA Esports Cup tournament, and Online Classes Programme for African youth.