Rwanda’s State Minister for Youth and Arts Development, Sandrine Umutoni, has received former Senegal international footballer and national team coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, with discussions focusing on how sports, arts and culture can be harnessed to develop young people and create opportunities for African talent.
Thiaw is in Kigali to participate in the 2026 SportsBiz Africa Forum, a two-day gathering bringing together sports leaders, policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders to explore the growing role of sport in Africa’s economic development.
During their meeting, Umutoni and Thiaw discussed opportunities to strengthen youth talent development, promote entrepreneurship and ensure that athletes and other young professionals are prepared for life beyond their active sporting careers.
Umutoni said sports and the creative industries can play a broader role in empowering young people when talent development is combined with entrepreneurship, innovation and opportunities to build sustainable careers.
“Sports, arts and culture are powerful platforms for youth development. We must continue creating opportunities that allow young people to develop their talents, build businesses and create sustainable livelihoods both within and beyond their careers,” Umutoni said.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of preparing athletes for the transition that comes after their competitive careers.
Beyond producing sporting talent, stakeholders are increasingly looking at ways to equip young athletes with entrepreneurial, leadership and professional skills that can support them long after they leave the field.
Thiaw, who previously led Senegal’s national team and is among the speakers at this year’s SportsBiz Africa Forum, has used his experience in football to encourage African youth to believe in their abilities and take advantage of emerging technologies to reach wider audiences.
Speaking to delegates at the forum’s e-games and sports activities, Thiaw urged young people not to limit their ambitions by traditional boundaries, encouraging them to use digital platforms and artificial intelligence to develop, market and showcase their talents internationally.
“Young people have to believe in themselves and make use of every opportunity available to them. Technology and artificial intelligence can help you develop your talent, showcase what you can do and reach people across the world,” Thiaw said.
He stressed that Africa’s young population represents a major asset for the continent’s sporting and creative industries, but unlocking that potential requires confidence, initiative and the willingness to embrace new tools.
Thiaw’s message comes as the SportsBiz Africa Forum places increasing emphasis on the intersection between sport, technology and business.
The 2026 programme includes discussions on artificial intelligence, data and the future of sport, reflecting the growing influence of technology on talent identification, performance, fan engagement and the wider sports economy.
The Senegalese coach has also been engaging with Rwanda’s football community during his stay in Kigali.
He recently visited the Rwanda Football Federation and met the national U-20 team, where he shared his coaching experience and advice with young players and technical staff.
His engagement with Rwanda’s youth and sports leadership adds to broader conversations at the SportsBiz Africa Forum about building stronger sporting systems, investing in African talent and turning the continent’s sporting potential into sustainable economic opportunities.
The forum, now in its third edition, is being held under the theme of strengthening the nexus between sports and business towards Africa’s development, bringing together stakeholders seeking to expand investment, innovation and entrepreneurship across Africa’s sports ecosystem.
