Rwanda Hosts FIFA Talent Development Workshop for African Football Federations

Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association (FERWAFA), in partnership with Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), on Monday opened a four-day FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) Knowledge Exchange Workshop in Kigali, bringing together technical directors and football development experts from 12 African Member Associations to strengthen youth football pathways. The workshop, running from May 12 to 15 at Park Inn by Radisson Kigali, is focused on strengthening youth national team structures, talent identification systems, international youth competition formats, and player development pathways supported under the FIFA TDS initiative. Representatives attending the workshop come from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Comoros, Lesotho, The Gambia, Niger and the Central African Republic. The workshop was officially opened by FERWAFA President Fabrice N. Shema, who reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to transforming Rwandan football through professionalism, infrastructure investment, youth development, inclusion and strong governance.

FERWAFA President Fabrice N. Shema delivers keynote remarks during the opening of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) Knowledge Exchange Workshop in Kigali on May 12, 2026.

“Our vision is to build football that goes beyond the pitch, football as a national development tool, football as a unifying force, and football as an economic and social driver aligned with Rwanda Vision 2050 and NST2,” Shema said. During the opening ceremony, FIFA High-Performance Specialist Anthony Baffoe presented a special recognition award to Shema alongside FERWAFA General Secretary Bonnie Mugabe in recognition of the federation’s commitment to football development.

FIFA High-Performance Specialist Anthony Baffoe (left) presents a recognition award to FERWAFA President Fabrice N. Shema (centre) alongside FERWAFA General Secretary Bonnie Mugabe (right).

Baffoe encouraged FERWAFA leadership to continue “dreaming bigger” for the future of Rwandan football. Participants at the workshop are exchanging best practices and discussing shared solutions to common football development challenges across the continent, highlighting growing collaboration among African Member Associations in developing elite youth football. The event further reinforces Rwanda’s growing role as a hub for football development and technical excellence in Africa.