Kigali has been selected to stage the 47th Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) men’s club championship from 20th April to 3rd May this year.
This follows an agreement signed in Kigali by Raphaël Ngarambe, president of the Rwandan Volleyball Federation (FRVB), and CAVB President Bouchra Hajij.
The Kigali edition will be historic for Rwanda, as it will be the first time the country hosts Africa’s premier men’s club volleyball championship. The tournament is expected to bring together top clubs from across the continent for two weeks of high-level competition.
The African Men’s Club Championship is one of the most prestigious competitions on the continent.
It brings together the champion clubs of their respective national leagues each year, from all CAVB zones.
Hosting the event could provide added motivation for regional contenders, including Rwanda’s APR Volleyball Club, which has been steadily strengthening its presence in continental competitions.
Beyond the competition itself, the championship will also serve as an important qualification pathway for the FIVB Men’s Club World Championship, raising the stakes for participating teams.
The event further reinforces Kigali’s growing reputation as a hub for major international sporting events. In recent years, the city has hosted high-profile competitions across several disciplines, attracting athletes and fans from across the continent.
Traditionally, the championship has been dominated by clubs from North Africa, particularly Egypt and Tunisia.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly remain the most successful team in the competition’s history with a record 16 titles, while other powerhouse clubs such as Zamalek and ES Tunis have also frequently featured among the champions.
The most recent edition, staged in Libya, saw hosts Asswehly SC claim their maiden continental title after defeating ES Tunis in a thrilling five-set final. The Kigali tournament will therefore offer another opportunity for Africa’s leading clubs to battle for continental supremacy.
One of the most compelling storylines surrounding the championship is the quest for a breakthrough from Sub-Saharan African teams, which have yet to win the tournament since its inception more than four decades ago.
Kenya will be represented by the General Service Unit (GSU), the Kenya Ports Authority ( KPA) and Equity Bank.
