Rwanda’s competitive gaming scene is gaining momentum as Praise Stevens emerged champion of the SportsBiz Africa eSports Cup 2026 Rwanda Pre-Selection, securing the country’s top spot in the eFootball competition ahead of the continental championship in September.
The national selection competitions, held at BK Arena over the weekend, brought together some of Rwanda’s leading gamers in EA Sports FC 2026 on PlayStation 5 and eFootball on mobile devices, as SportsBiz
Africa sought to establish a transparent pathway for local players to compete at regional and continental level.
The initiative marks the second edition of the continental SportsBiz Africa eSports Cup, following its inaugural tournament in 2025, which was won by South Africa’s Zaid April.
Stevens represented Rwanda at that first edition and will now return to the continental stage in 2026.
Twenty gamers initially took part in the national competitions, battling through group and knockout stages as they competed not only for prize money but also for the opportunity to represent Rwanda internationally.
Stevens described his victory as the result of years of commitment to competitive gaming.
“I have been playing FIFA since I was young, and to finally see years of dedication rewarded with something tangible is an incredible feeling,” Stevens said.
He said the quality of the competition made the achievement even more meaningful.
“Every player who competed in this tournament was talented and capable of winning the cup. The fact that I am the one who lifted it today is a blessing, and I believe it is a reflection of years of hard work, dedication and, above all, God’s grace.”
A new pathway for Rwandan gamers
The national pre-selection was introduced partly in response to calls from Rwanda’s gaming community for a more transparent and competitive process for choosing national representatives.
SportsBiz Africa eSports project lead Gatera Luqman said previous selection methods had generated concerns among gamers, prompting organizers to establish competitions where players could earn their places through performance.
“We received feedback and complaints from local gamers who felt that the selection process needed to be more transparent and inclusive,” Luqman said.
“We wanted to create a platform where gamers could compete openly and demonstrate their abilities, allowing the best players to earn the opportunity to represent the country.”
The EA Sports FC competition featured a knockout format, with the strongest players progressing to the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
The four national semi-finalists will form Rwanda’s representation in the continental EA Sports FC tournament.
The continental EA Sports FC competition is expected to feature 32 players from across Africa and will carry a prize pool of $10,000, approximately RWF 14.7 million.
The eFootball competition followed a different format, with eight gamers randomly paired before the strongest four advanced to the semi-finals and finals.
Stevens emerged as the national champion and earned Rwanda’s place in the eFootball segment of the continental competition.
That continental tournament will feature eight sponsored African gamers, with Rwanda competing alongside Kenya, South Africa, Madagascar, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Morocco.
The eFootball competition will have a $5,000 prize pool, equivalent to about RWF 7.3 million.
Beyond competition
SportsBiz Africa project manager Umutoni Bridget said the competitions are part of a broader effort to integrate eSports into Rwanda’s growing sports and technology ecosystem.
“There is real potential among gamers in Rwanda, but many of them lack platforms where they can regularly compete, develop their skills and be discovered,” Umutoni said.»
She said the long-term goal is to create an environment where gamers can access competitions, equipment and development opportunities while building pathways from local contests to international events.
For Stevens, that development is essential if Rwanda is to turn gaming from a hobby into a viable career for young people.
“In many countries, esports players are already making a living from their talent. They are being paid to compete, represent their countries and build careers through gaming,” he said.
He also called for greater investment from sports institutions, businesses and youth-focused organizations.
“As Rwanda continues to position itself as a technology and innovation hub, esports should also be part of that vision.”
The national competition also provided financial incentives, with RWF 1 million awarded to the champion, RWF 500,000 to the runner-up, RWF 300,000 to the third-place finisher and RWF 200,000 to the fourth-place player.
Beyond the prize money, however, the competition offered participants an opportunity to gain recognition and potentially build careers in a rapidly developing global eSports industry.
With Rwanda now preparing for the continental SportsBiz Africa eSports Cup, Stevens and the other national representatives will face stronger competition from across Africa.
For the champion, the opportunity represents more than a personal achievement.
“This victory is not just mine. It is a sign of what is possible when talent meets opportunity. I hope it opens the door for many more young Rwandans to pursue esports seriously and turn their passion into a career.”
The 2026 SportsBiz Africa eSports Cup could therefore prove an important step in Rwanda’s efforts to establish competitive gaming as more than entertainment and instead develop it into a structured sporting, technological and career pathway for young people.
