Rwanda is increasingly turning to major sporting events as part of its tourism strategy with cycling playing a central role. The 2026 edition of the Tour du Rwanda again highlighted the country’s ambitions and organisers are now exploring the possibility of upgrading the race to UCI WorldTour level by 2027.
Currently classified as a UCI 2.1 race, a status it has held since 2019, the Tour du Rwanda already attracts top professional teams from across the world. But federation leaders believe the race has potential to grow further after the country’s successful hosting of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
“We are thinking about the future of Rwandan cycling and what is possible,” said Fédération Rwandaise de Cyclisme President Samson Ndayishimiye.
“The country has invested in hotels and event facilities capable of hosting major international competitions. During the Tour du Rwanda, we hosted 17 teams but our capacity allows us to host up to 27. That means the potential is there.”
If the race achieves world tour status, it will join cycling’s most elite calendar alongside events such as the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia.
Rwanda’s sports economy
Cycling has become part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to be positioned as a destination for global sporting events. Investments in infrastructure, from cycling routes to arenas and stadiums, are designed to attract international competitions and visitors.
According to Paul Atwine Babigumira, Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment Entrepreneurship Ventures Africa, sports tourism has become a powerful tool for Rwanda’s economic and diplomatic ambitions.
“Sports tourism has brought major dividends to Rwanda,” he said. “It helps attract investment, create strategic partnerships and promote the country as a destination for global events.”
Babigumira noted that Rwanda is intentionally building what he calls a “sports economy” where sporting events function as exportable products rather than simply recreational activities.
Through investments in infrastructure, talent development and partnerships, Rwanda is creating an ecosystem that connects sports with tourism, meetings and conferences as well as local businesses. The goal is to increase annual sports tourism revenue from around RWF1 billion (US$687 000) to nearly RWF30 billion (US$20.6 million) within five years.
“This growth is already visible across Kigali and beyond. Facilities such as the BK Arena have become central venues for international tournaments and concerts. Meanwhile projects like the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas and new recreational spaces are expanding the country’s leisure offerings,” Babigumira added.
These developments are supported by global marketing partnerships. The Visit Rwanda campaign has signed sponsorship agreements with major football clubs including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Atlético de Madrid. The country has also expanded into American sports partnerships with teams such as the Los Angeles Rams and Clippers.
Far-reaching benefits
The broader impact goes beyond economics, according to experts. Major sporting events help reshape global perceptions of African destinations. Rick Taylor, CEO of The Business Tourism Company, argues that global events have the power to challenge outdated stereotypes.
“Events create jobs, boost national pride and change how the world sees a destination,” he said. “Africa is often portrayed unfairly in global narratives but large international events show the culture, creativity and hospitality that exist across the continent.”
