The Rwandan Ministry of Sports and Rwanda Cycling Federation gathered potential investors along with business leaders interested in sponsoring the Kigali 2025 UCI Road World Championships in a Business Breakfast event on February 26, 2024, held at the Radisson Blu & Kigali Convention Centre. It was one of a series of initiatives building momentum for the historic championships, the first ever to be held in Africa.
The event aimed to tap into the business community and its networks, engaging with the sports industry to enhance brand visibility for the Kigali 2025 UCI Road World Championships. It was designed to appeal directly to impact investors and business leaders, including those focused on supporting local economies, health initiatives, or seeking greater brand presence.
Aurore Mimosa MUNYANGAJU, Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, underscored the historical significance of Kigali hosting the UCI Championships—marking the first time the event will be held on African soil.
“This is a historic milestone for Rwanda and for Africa. Hosting the UCI Championships in Kigali is not just about bringing a global sporting event to our city; it’s about showcasing our capability, our hospitality, and our love for cycling to the world. It’s a proud moment that heralds new possibilities for sport on our continent,” she said.
The Business Breakfast also highlighted ways to promote tourism, attract investment, and foster national development. Attendees were given a detailed overview of the event, including dates, locations, participants, and expected audience size.
Event Dates: The championships are set to take place from September 21 to 28, 2025
Locations: The race routes will traverse Kigali’s city center and extend into its mountainous outskirts, passing iconic landmarks such as the Kigali Convention Centre and Mount Kigali, offering riders both urban and scenic challenges.
Participants: The event is expected to draw elite cyclists from over 70 countries, including renowned professional teams like Ineos Grenadiers, Jumbo-Visma, and Deceuninck–Quick-Step. Leading African teams from Eritrea, South Africa, and Ethiopia will also compete.
Audience Size: The championships are projected to attract millions of viewers worldwide, both in-person spectators and through global broadcasts, significantly enhancing Rwanda’s presence on the international stage. They also emphasized the vast marketing potential that sponsors could tap into, highlighting benefits like brand visibility, networking opportunities, and enhanced corporate social responsibility.
The call to action was clear, urging global businesses to get involved in what promises to be one of the largest sporting events with significant returns in visibility and community impact.
