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Rugby Africa Celebrates Four Decades as One of Africa’s Youngest Continental Sports Bodies
In collaboration with Tunisia Rugby Federation, rugby leaders and international stakeholders will gather in Tunis to celebrate four decades of African rugby development and reflect on the continent’s rising influence.
TUNIS, Tunisia – Rugby Africa, the continental governing body for rugby across Africa, will commemorate its 40th anniversary from May 14–16, 2026, in Tunis, where it was founded in January 1986.
Since the 1980s, African sport has evolved from largely amateur structures into a steadily growing sector, with PwC estimating that the industry will reach approximately USD 12 billion by 2027. Within this broader evolution, Rugby Africa’s growth reflects the pace of change shaping sport across the African continent.
Founded as the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) by six member unions– Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, and Senegal. Rugby Africa now represents 40 nations committed to the governance, development, and promotion of the game. Renamed Rugby Africa in 2014, the organisation continues to expand its reach across all regions.
Compared to longer-established Pan-African sports bodies such as the Confederation of African Football (CAF), founded in 1957, and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Africa, established in 1961, Rugby Africa remains a relatively young organisation, yet has rapidly strengthened its footprint and institutional role within the global game.
To mark this milestone, Rugby Africa, in collaboration with the Tunisia Rugby Federation, will host an official gala dinner and a series of commemorative activities. The anniversary will provide an opportunity to reflect on its evolution into a recognised continental institution, while reaffirming priorities including governance, gender equity, safeguarding and long-term sustainability.
The celebration will bring together representatives from the 40 Member Unions, alongside senior leaders and stakeholders from across the global rugby community. Confirmed guests include Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa; Nasser Bougja, Vice President; Maha Zaoui, General Manager; and members of the Executive Board. Senior leaders from World Rugby, including Jonathan Webb, Vice Chair; David Carrigy, Chief of International Relations; and Coralie Van Den Berg, Regional Partnerships Manager for Africa, are also expected to attend.
Abdelatif Benazzi, President of the Six Nations Council and Vice President of the French Rugby Federation; Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA); H.E Major General Ahmed Nasser, President of the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC / UCSA); and Abdelaziz Bougja, former President of Rugby Africa, are likewise expected in Tunis.
Alongside the commemorative events, the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Division One tournament will take place in Tunis, with the final scheduled for 16 May 2026. Serving as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s Rugby Africa Cup, the competition will feature host nation Tunisia, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire, reinforcing Rugby Africa’s commitment to advancing the visibility of women’s rugby across the continent.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate Rugby Africa on 40 remarkable years of championing, advancing and nurturing the game across the region. Over four decades, Rugby Africa has been a powerful force for growth, unity and opportunity, helping to unlock the immense potential of African rugby both on and off the field. As a region, Africa sits at the heart of rugby’s global story – producing world champions, trailblazers and extraordinary athletes, while also driving meaningful progress in governance, development and community impact. This anniversary is not only a celebration of past achievements, but a confident statement of ambition for the future of African rugby,” said Chair of World Rugby, Brett Robinson.
“Forty years of Rugby Africa is a reminder that sport must always serve a greater purpose. Rugby is bigger than any one of us. Success is never personal but collective—serving our countries, our communities, and our continent—then we begin to see what is truly possible. When we align ambition with something larger than ourselves, we unlock the true power of this game: its ability to unite, to transform, and to inspire nations. Africa is not limited by imagination; we are driven by it. We are shaped by a hunger that refuses to be small. And so, in Rugby Africa, we have learned this simple truth: when your purpose is greater than yourself, success multiplies, endures, and becomes a legacy,” said President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah.
“Hosting the 40th anniversary of Rugby Africa here in Tunisia is both an honour and a responsibility. As one of the founding nations, Tunisia holds a deep and enduring connection to the growth of rugby across the continent. We are proud to welcome the rugby family back to where part of its journey began,” said President of Tunisia Rugby Federation, Aref Belkhiria.
Media Contact for Rugby Africa:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Manager
nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com
About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 40 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
Media Contact for Tunisia Rugby Federation:
Ouji Ekbel
Communication and Marketing Manager
About Tunisia Rugby Federation:
The Tunisia Rugby Federation (FTR) is the official governing body responsible for the organization, development, and promotion of rugby in Tunisia. Founded on March 21, 1972 by Mr Salah Eddine Baly, a pioneer of the sport in the country, it was recognized from its inception by the Tunisian National Olympic Committee. An active player on both the continental and international stages, the FTR has been a founding member of Rugby Africa since 1986 and affiliated with World Rugby since 1988. It plays a key role in advancing rugby across Africa and the Arab world, notably through its contribution to the establishment of the Arab Union of Rugby in 2002. Since its early years, the Federation has focused on structuring and expanding rugby in Tunisia, including the launch of a national championship as early as the 1971–1972 season. It also implements training and talent identification programs across the country. Committed to inclusion and equality, the FTR organized the first international women’s rugby tournament in Tunisia in 2002, marking a significant milestone in the development of women’s rugby in the region. Today, the Tunisia Rugby union continues to pursue its mission with determination, promoting the core values of rugby—respect, solidarity, and commitment—while striving for sustainable and inclusive growth of the sport in Tunisia.
