As Africa prepares to host its first-ever Olympic event, the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games, the seminar will focus on the development of Rugby through the school, university, and Olympic pathways.
Today, Rugby Africa in collaboration with World Rugby (https://www.world.rugby), the Oriental Development Agency (https://www.oriental.ma) and the Federation Royale Marocaine de Rugby (http://www.frmr.ma/index.html), hosts the 2025 International Seminar on African Rugby Development on April 4 and 5, 2025 in Saidia, Morocco. Under the theme “The Development of Rugby through the School, University, and Olympic Pathways” the seminar brings together delegates from over 23 nations across Africa.
As Africa prepares to host its first-ever Olympic event—the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2026 in Dakar, Senegal—the theme “The Development of Rugby through the School, University, and Olympic Pathways” takes on even greater significance. The seminar plays a key role in strengthening talent pipelines, fostering growth at all levels and expanding the continent’s rugby footprint worldwide.
Distinguished guests of the opening ceremony of the seminar included President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, Mohamed Mbarki, Director of the Oriental Development Agency, Abdelatif Benazzi, Vice President of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and President of the Six Nations Council and Hicham Oubaja, President of the Moroccan Royal Rugby Federation (FRMR).
The two-day event will feature plenary lectures, workshops and federation presentations alongside key discussions on School and University Rugby, Olympic Rugby, Safeguarding and Sustainable Development. The participating rugby unions in attendance include Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mali, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Togo, Zambia, Morocco, Kenya, Tunisia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and South Africa.
Prominent speakers at the 2025 seminar include Noureddine Maktalfrom, delegate from the African School Sport Federation (FASS), Mostafa Jelti, Rugby Africa’s Regional Development Officer, Coralie Van Den Berg, World Rugby Regional Partnerships Manager for Africa and Maha Zaoui, Rugby Africa’s Women’s Rugby Manager and Jason Lewis, World Rugby’s Director of Participation.
In addition to the prominent speakers, Abdelatif Benazzi, Vice President of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) will present the Capacity Building Partnership (CAP) project. Developed in collaboration with South African Rugby (SARU), World Rugby, and French Development Agency (AFD), this initiative aims to strengthen rugby development and training programs.
As rugby continues to gain momentum following its return to the Olympic program at Paris 2024, highlighted by the participation of Kenya and South Africa, African nations are fostering a stronger sporting culture that values rugby from the grassroots level and beyond.
This growing emphasis on rugby development comes at a crucial time, as the continent prepares for several major international events that will further reinforce African rugby’s influence on the global stage, including:
• African School Games – Algiers, Algeria (August 2025)
• African Youth Games – Luanda, Angola (December 2025)
• Youth Olympic Games – Dakar, Senegal (October 31 – November 14, 2026)
• World University Rugby Sevens Championship – Stellenbosch, South Africa (2026)
• African Beach Games – Equatorial Guinea (2027)
“We know that no one is coming to save Africa, Africa must save itself. We need to recognise that we have heroes among us, people who achieve greatness. But it all begins with the children and rises from there. Across Africa, we’ve seen significant development, but we must remember that the future belongs to the next generation. Children are the investment in our future. Not every child is the same—some are big, some are small, but rugby welcomes all. If we bring rugby into the school curriculum, we’re giving children the opportunity to try something new, something that can change their lives. The 23 nations who have gathered in the seminar in Morocco is not an abstract concept, The objective is to show growth. How can we get Africa to be better?” stated President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah.
“The success of this forum relies heavily on effective coordination among all stakeholders. As a Federation, we are fully committed to ensuring the proper organization of this event. We extend our sincere gratitude to all partners and supporters, with special thanks to the Oriental Development Agency (ADO) for its invaluable support,” stated President of the Moroccan Royal Rugby Federation (FRMR), Hicham Oubaja.
