• The 73rd edition of the FIFA Congress was hosted in Kigali from the 13th to the 17th of March.

• The renovated stadium was inaugurated and renamed after the legendary Brazilian footballer.

• Rwanda is banking on expanding its tourism by positioning itself as Africa’s sports hub hosting major competitions.

The 73rd edition of FIFA Congress took off on the 13th of March and lasted till the 17th of March in Kigali. It brought together about 2,000 delegates from 211-member associations and other football stakeholders.

The event focused on a range of issues facing football, including governance, ethics, and the development of the sport at all levels.

The renovated Nyamirambo Stadium, which is now renamed after the legendary Brazilian footballer Pele, was inaugurated during the event. The capacity of the stadium was increased to 15,000 in a revamp that was partly funded by FIFA to the tune of over $350,000. Rwanda also invested Rwf160 million (about $160,000) in 2021 to upgrade Amahoro stadium, increasing its seating capacity from 25,000 to 45,000. The revamping is set to be completed next year.

Rwanda is banking on expanding its tourism by positioning itself as Africa’s sports hub hosting major competitions. The country eyes raising $800 million in sports tourism by next year.

In July 2021, The country hosted the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tours for both men and women and the Basketball Africa League in May of the same year.

Rwanda was also the third African country to host the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, attracting nearly 2,000 athletes from 20 countries.

Kigali has also won the bid to host the 2025 World Road Cycling Championships, the first time it will be held on the African continent.

The country’s partnership with Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain in the Visit Rwanda campaign generated $445 million in tourism revenues, with over one million visitors in 2022, according to government figures.