Rugby Africa Brings Africa’s Sports Talent Vision to UN Global Africa Business Summit 2026

Written By: Binoy Mehera

Binoy Mehera

A curious mind driven by a passion for storytelling, I find inspiration in uncovering hidden perspectives, exploring diverse experiences, and shaping ideas into narratives that leave an impact. With three years of experience in journalism and content creation, I have developed a strong instinct for identifying meaningful stories, blending research with creativity, and presenting information in a way that connects with readers. My storytelling journey is guided by a fascination for culture, travel, lifestyle, and the human experiences that define our world. I aim to create narratives that not only inform but also spark curiosity, evoke emotions, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of every story.

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September 8, 2026 20:39 GMT+5:30

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The President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, will be participating in the 2026: Unstoppable Africa UN Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) in New York. This initiative will focus on constructive ways that a continent with strong sports structures and system transparency coupled with investments on talent will help the continent create more value on the global economic space with its athletes, with a focus on the global sports economy.

Mensah, who is also an Executive Board Member of World Rugby and serves as Chairman of World Rugby Regions, accepted an invitation from Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and CEO of the UN Global Compact, to contribute to the high-level global forum focused on Africa’s economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.

On the afternoon of Monday, 21 September, Herbert Mensah will join the session titled “Real Value from the Field: Protecting and Profiting from Africa’s Talent Pipeline.” The discussion will explore how improved sporting structures, transparent player contracts, advanced talent identification systems and stronger regional competitions can help African nations retain greater economic value from their sporting talent.

The session will highlight the importance of creating sustainable pathways that allow athletes, communities and sporting institutions across Africa to benefit more directly from the success and commercial potential generated by the continent’s talent.

“African sporting talent has long been a global asset. What has too often been missing is the framework to ensure that its value flows back to the continent, the schools, and the communities that produce it,” said Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa. “I am honoured to bring rugby’s perspective to Unstoppable Africa 2026, and to make the case that Africa can — and must — build the institutions and the industrial base to keep more of what it creates.”

Organised by the United Nations Global Compact, the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has developed since its launch in 2022 into one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to promoting African business, trade and investment beyond the continent. The 2026 edition of Unstoppable Africa is set to attract around 4,000 influential participants, including government leaders, Fortune 500 executives, international investors and prominent entrepreneurs, as Africa’s economic opportunities continue to expand with a market potential valued at more than USD 3 trillion.

Over the years, Unstoppable Africa has hosted several high-profile global leaders and influential figures, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, Kenya’s President William Ruto, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, World Trade Organization Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote, Mo Ibrahim, Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Melinda Gates, Founder of Pivotal Ventures, and Grammy Award-winning artist and activist Angélique Kidjo.

Rugby Africa’s participation at the event represents an opportunity to highlight the growing role of sport, particularly rugby, in Africa’s broader economic development strategy. The organisation aims to showcase how investment in sporting systems, talent development and regional growth can contribute to Africa’s transformation while creating greater opportunities for athletes, communities and institutions across the continent.