The Sunshine Tour will expand its footprint in Africa with the launch of the inaugural Rwanda Open from September 24-27, marking the first Sunshine Tour event to be staged in Rwanda, according to Supersport.
The tournament will be played at Kigali Golf Club in partnership with Visit Rwanda, the Rwanda Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Golf Union.
The field will feature Sunshine Tour professionals, Rwandan professionals, leading amateur golfers and players from across the continent. The event is part of the Sunshine Tour’s strategic alliance with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, creating a pathway for African golfers to progress to the HotelPlanner Tour, DP World Tour and ultimately the PGA Tour.
The announcement comes as Rwanda continues to strengthen its strategy of using major international sporting events to drive tourism. The country has hosted events including the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the Basketball Africa League and the 2023 FIFA Congress.
“The Rwanda Open 2026 represents another significant milestone in Rwanda’s journey to becoming a leading destination for international sporting events,” said Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire.
“Rwanda is positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading destinations for world-class sporting events,” said Janet Karemera, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Convention Bureau.
She said the country looks forward to welcoming players, their families and golf fans from around the world to experience Rwanda’s hospitality, landscapes, wildlife, culture and attractions beyond the championship.
“As the country’s first Sunshine Tour-sanctioned tournament, it reflects our commitment to developing golf, creating opportunities for our athletes and using sport as a catalyst for tourism, economic growth and international engagement.”
Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt said the partnership with Visit Rwanda will help grow the game across the continent while creating opportunities for African golfers to compete on the global stage.
The Rwanda Open expands the Sunshine Tour’s presence in Africa, adding Rwanda to its existing tournament footprint in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Kenya and Uganda.
