Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah to Advocate for African Sports Economy at UN General Assembly Week

Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah is taking a bold stance on the global stage, advocating for a fundamental shift in how African sports talent is valued and managed. Speaking at the "Unstoppable Africa 2026" conference during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, Mensah aims to reposition sports as a cornerstone of the continent's economic development. The event, scheduled for September 21, is expected to draw a massive audience of approximately 4,000 global leaders, policy makers, and investors, providing a high-profile platform for Mensah’s vision.

Mensah’s agenda focuses on the critical need for Africa to retain a significantly larger share of the economic value generated by its homegrown athletes. Currently, a vast portion of the revenue and long-term benefits derived from African talent flows out of the continent to international entities. To combat this, the Rugby Africa President will propose a series of structural reforms, including the implementation of more rigorous player contracts, the professionalization of scouting networks, and the establishment of robust regional leagues. These measures are designed to ensure that local clubs and the communities that nurture these athletes receive their fair share of financial rewards and intellectual property rights.

The "Unstoppable Africa" platform serves as a critical bridge between the world of athletics and the broader economic dialogue. By highlighting the intersection of sports development with infrastructure and intellectual property, Mensah argues that sports should no longer be viewed merely as a form of entertainment or social pastime. Instead, he views the sector as a viable industry capable of driving significant foreign direct investment and job creation across the continent, provided the right frameworks are in place to protect African interests.

As African sports continue to gain international prominence, the push for economic sovereignty within the industry becomes increasingly urgent. Mensah’s participation in the UNGA week underscores a growing realization among African leaders that talent alone is not enough; without sophisticated legal and economic frameworks, the continent remains a supplier of raw talent rather than a primary beneficiary of a multi-billion dollar global industry. The outcome of these discussions in New York could set the stage for new partnerships and policies that reshape the landscape of African sports for decades to come.