NAIROBI, KENYA – The Government of Kenya has officially declared its readiness to host the 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Sevens tournament, a premier continental event set to unfold at Nairobi's RFUEA Grounds from Saturday, November 15, to Sunday, November 16, 2025. Speaking at the official tournament launch on Thursday, November 13, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, affirmed the country's commitment to staging a successful event and called on Kenyans to rally behind the national team, the Lionesses.

"Today is a very special day. We are here to make history," CS Mvurya stated. "Our Lionesses have been doing very well, and on Saturday and Sunday, we will be here to cheer them on. I invite all Kenyans to come out in large numbers and support our team — they are playing to win, and we believe they will deliver."

This marks the second time Kenya has hosted the prestigious tournament, the first being in 2014. The 2025 edition will feature twelve nations, including defending champions and continental powerhouse South Africa, setting the stage for a highly competitive weekend of rugby. The event serves as a crucial qualifier for the 2026 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, the pathway to the elite HSBC SVNS Series.

High Stakes for the Lionesses

The Kenya Lionesses enter the tournament with high expectations, aiming to capture their second continental title. Their sole victory came in 2018 in Gaborone, Botswana, where they defeated Uganda in the final. The team has frequently finished as runners-up, often to their arch-rivals, South Africa, who have won the title a record 12 times. In the 2024 final held in Ghana, the Lionesses narrowly lost to the Springbok Women's Sevens 17-10.

However, recent form suggests a closing gap between the two powerhouses. The Lionesses have shown remarkable progress, securing victories against South Africa in the 2025 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Cape Town earlier this year, where they won their first-ever international tournament. Head Coach Dennis Mwanja has named a strong 12-player squad that blends seasoned veterans with promising young talent, aiming to leverage home advantage for a historic win.

Kenya is drawn in Pool B alongside Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Defending champions South Africa are in Pool A with Zimbabwe and Mauritius, while regional rivals Uganda are in Pool C with Zambia and Burkina Faso. Pool D consists of Madagascar, Tunisia, and Egypt.

Government Backing and Broader Vision

CS Mvurya emphasized that hosting the tournament aligns with the government's broader strategy of positioning Kenya as a premier destination for international sporting events. This vision is supported by significant investment in sports, as outlined in the 2025/2026 national budget, which allocated Ksh13.5 billion to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund. These funds are intended to support national teams, upgrade facilities, and nurture talent.

The government's support was further highlighted by Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah, who revealed that discussions are underway for Kenya to potentially host a leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in the future, pending the completion of the new Talanta Stadium. "We only do this because we have confidence in the Kenyan government…because we have confidence in the leadership of Kenyan rugby," Mensah remarked.

The tournament is expected to provide a significant economic boost to Nairobi, attracting visitors and showcasing the city's capacity to manage major events. For the Kenya Lionesses, it is more than just a competition; it is an opportunity to reclaim continental glory, inspire a new generation of female athletes, and solidify their place on the world rugby stage.