The 2025 UCI Road World Championships are headed to Kigali, Rwanda, and the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) and Event Delivery Partners (EDP) have signed off an agreement to deliver the first-ever UCI Road World Championships to Africa. The deal was signed at the Ministry of Sports in Kigali, earlier this year, attended by officials from the Ministry of Sports, FERWACY, and EDP.
This collaboration is part of a broader partnership to ensure world-class delivery and organization of the event, ensuring that the competition meets the highest international standards and offers a memorable experience for athletes, officials, and spectators alike.
FERWACY President, Samson Ndayishimiye, said, “We are so excited and happy for this historical moment not only for our country but also for our continent.”
The collaboration brings together FERWACY, EDP, and other key players, such as the French sports company Amaury Sport Organization (A.S.O.) and the Belgian sports event delivery company Golazo. Both A.S.O. and Golazo will play an instrumental role in supporting the local organizing committee, bringing their extensive experience in global sporting events, such as the Tour de France and Baloise Belgium Tour, respectively. A.S.O. specializes in organizing large-scale sporting events, while Golazo is recognized for its grassroots initiatives and expertise in cycling and athletics. Their involvement is expected to significantly bolster the logistical and organizational capacity for the event in Kigali.
Together, with their global experience in managing sporting events, they will focus on infrastructure, athlete services, and fan experience to address the logistical challenges of the championship. Beyond the event, this agreement is expected to bring economic and social benefits, with increased tourism, job creation, and international goodwill. Local businesses and the hospitality industry will also have the chance to showcase Rwanda to the world.
Zephanie Niyonkuru, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports, highlighted the wider economic and social benefits of hosting the championships: “Rwanda targets to become a continental hub of sports, staging 2025 UCI Road World Championships will boost cycling development activities in our country, provide employment to our people and business to the private sector companies hence increasing the contribution sports is having in our economy,” he stated. The event is expected to inject significant investment into Rwanda’s growing sports tourism industry, offering local businesses an opportunity to showcase their services to an international audience.
Bob Verbeeck, CEO of Golazo Group, reiterated the significance of the partnership: “We are honored to help co-organize this memorable sporting moment for Africa. We have been active in East Africa for more than 10 years. In recent years, our preparations in Kenya have gained momentum. This is another big step in developing our foothold in Africa. Golazo will open a second office in Kigali, Rwanda, in addition to its current office in Nairobi (Kenya),” Verbeeck noted.
Yann Le Moenner, CEO A.S.O highlighted the significance of this milestone: “It is a big step for cycling to organize the first ever Road World Championships on the African continent, and it is truly an honor for A.S.O to have been selected alongside Golazo to support the ministry of sports and the cycling federation in this ambitious project. Kigali is definitely the right place to host such a breakthrough event as the people have a true passion for cycling here, and the hilly city could offer one of the most challenging grounds for a cycling race. We are really excited to be able to bring our expertise to such a promising event,” he said.
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships, to be held September 21 to 28, 2025, will feature races in multiple categories, including men’s and women’s elite, junior, and under-23 events. More than 20,000 international visitors are expected to attend the event, making it one of the largest sporting gatherings ever hosted in Rwanda. This deal further elevates Rwanda’s rising profile in international sports as preparations for the championships intensify.
