Interview Uwase Mutimura : “BK Arena, driver of sports ecosystem in Africa »
BK Arena, the biggest indoor venue in East and southern Africa, has made a name for itself in the promotion of sport in Rwanda, particularly through major events such as the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Uwase Mutimura, Head of Marketing at BK Arena, shares the strategy, challenges and impact of this contribution to African sport.
Interview by Dounia Ben Mohamed
Introduce us to BK Arena…
BK Arena, the biggest indoor venue in East and southern Africa, hosts a wide range of major sports events, from BAL to FIFA and FIBA competitions. Ten-thousand-seater, we are the venue of choice for international events, raising Rwanda’s profile on the world sporting stage.
How does BK Arena contribute to the development of sport in Africa and Rwanda in particular ?
The BAL, in particular, has had a significant impact since 2021, promoting economic development in the participating countries. In addition to sports events, hosting the FIFA Congress strengthens Rwanda’s position. In line with the national tourism and entertainment strategy, these events put Rwanda on the global map.
What is the impact of these events on Rwanda’s economy? Rwanda’s ambition is to position itself as a leading destination for sports events in Africa. For the first time in Africa, it is already hosting the World Cycling Championships in 2025…
These events are major economic drivers, attracting visitors beyond the sporting events themselves. As the starting point of the Tour du Rwanda and host of the World Cycling Championships, we are contributing to the development of the sport and the growth of tourism. The economic spinoffs extend far beyond the duration of the events.
How do you think we can develop this type of activity and its impact in Africa in general? What are the challenges?
The rapid development of sports tourism means that local skills need to be developed to meet the growing demand. More accommodation, hospitality training and sports facilities are essential. BK Arena is committed to training programs to support the sports ecosystem and works with various partners to maximize the benefits of events.
Cooperation between all stakeholders is key to maximizing results.
