Herbert Mensah, the President of Rugby Africa, will address the 33rd Annual Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in El-Alamein, Egypt. His participation comes at the invitation of Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. George Elombi. The key event is scheduled to run from June 21 to 24, 2026, under the patronage of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt.
Mr. Mensah is slated to speak on a high-level panel on June 22, 2026. The panel's theme is "From Africa’s Factories to the Pitch: Sports as a Conduit to Africa’s Industrialisation." This session aims to explore practical ways the continent's rapidly expanding sports and creative industries can stimulate broader industrial development. The goal is to move Africa away from its current dependence on imported sports equipment like kits, boots, and balls. Instead, the focus will be on building domestic capabilities across the entire sports value chain.
This includes developing local production for stadium technologies, broadcasting equipment, fitness products, and sports medicine supplies. The 33rd Afreximbank Annual Meetings are themed "Intra-African Trade and Industrialisation: Pathway to Economic Sovereignty." They will convene a diverse group of stakeholders. This includes Afreximbank shareholders, heads of state and government from Africa and the Caribbean, ministers, central bank governors, and leaders from major financial institutions, corporations, and academia.
This invitation highlights the significant economic opportunities present in the global sports sector. The worldwide sports apparel industry is currently valued at an estimated USD 230 billion and is projected to reach USD 325 billion by 2034. Africa's market for these goods is roughly USD 30 billion. However, it remains heavily reliant on imports from external manufacturers.
The panel discussion will delve into strategies for the continent to capture a substantial portion of this growing market. This can be achieved through strengthening domestic manufacturing operations and forming strategic global partnerships. The focus on industrialisation is a critical component of Afreximbank's strategy to foster economic self-reliance among African nations.
Herbert Mensah expressed his honour at accepting the invitation. He stated, "Sport is one of Africa’s most powerful and most underestimated economic assets." He emphasized that "every jersey, every ball, and every stadium represents jobs, skills, and industries that can and should be built on this continent." Mr. Mensah highlighted the rapid growth of rugby in Africa. He believes this expansion must translate into tangible economic benefits. These include establishing local factories, developing robust value chains, and creating opportunities for African citizens.
As President of Rugby Africa, Mr. Mensah also holds significant positions within the global rugby community. He serves as an Executive Board Member of World Rugby. He is also the Chairman of World Rugby Regions. This body unites the presidents of all six continental rugby associations. His extensive experience offers a valuable global rugby perspective to the crucial conversation about Africa's industrial future. Rugby Africa has commended Afreximbank's ongoing leadership in advancing intra-African trade and industrialisation efforts. The organisation is eager to contribute to discussions that place sport at the centre of the continent's economic sovereignty agenda.