Champs for Change (C4C) hosted Behind the Game Kigali 2026, its second annual convening, bringing together sports executives, investors, policymakers, athletes, media leaders and young people from Rwanda and across Africa for an evening focused on the people, systems and opportunities shaping the future of African sport.
Held on the sidelines of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals, the event explored the central idea that while athletes and competitions are often the visible face of sport, the long-term growth of the industry depends on the leadership, investment, infrastructure, partnerships, governance, media, and talent development systems operating behind the scenes.
The convening marked an important milestone for Champs for Change as the organization officially announced Kigali as its East Africa Hub, which reinforces its commitment to building locally rooted, continent-wide platforms that help young Africans access and build careers across the sports industry.
“Africa’s population is expected to reach approximately 2.5 billion by 2050 with more than 60% under the age of 25, making us the world’s largest future athlete talent pool”, said former CEO of NBA Africa, Victor Williams, highlighting the importance of long-term thinking and ecosystem building in African sport.
The platform brought together Bashir Ntwari, president of the Rwanda Boxing Federation, Jude Raul Karibu, founder of Roadwork Community, and Paula Kami, event manager at Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports, for a candid discussion on creating opportunities, navigating careers, and building spaces within African sport.
A special contributor reflection segment featured Anibal Manave, president of FIBA Africa who reflected on the ideas he contributed to the C4C & and WWLA Sports Volume and what remains most relevant today in advancing African sport.
One of the evening’s highlights was the executive panel discussion, The Business Behind the Game, moderated by Teta Ndejuru, founder and CEO of The Financial Boutique. The conversation brought together Ian Mahinmi, former NBA player and investor, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, former NBA player and investor, and Clarisse Machanguana, FIBA Hall of Famer, former WNBA player, and co-founder of Champs for Change.
The panel explored investment, leadership, ecosystem development, and the business opportunities emerging across the African sports landscape.
The evening concluded with a keynote address from Candy Basomingera, Permanent Secretary at Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports, who spoke about the importance of long-term investment in people, institutions, and opportunities to ensure sustainable growth across the continent’s sports ecosystem.
The event also welcomed a distinguished audience of leaders from across the sports sector, including Clare Akamanzi, chief executive officer of NBA Africa, Salima Mukansanga, FIFA international referee and one of Rwanda’s most accomplished sports figures, alongside executives, media representatives, educators and youth changemakers.
Speaking on the significance of the event, the C4C team emphasized that the future of African sport will be built not only by athletes, but by the entrepreneurs, administrators, investors, coaches, media professionals, event managers, policymakers, and leaders working behind the game.
As C4C continues to expand its work across the continent, the organization remains focused on helping young Africans aged 16-30 see, access, and build careers throughout the sports industry.
