By Michael Vlismas.
Photo Credit: Kigali Golf Club. (Photo Credit: Sunshine Tour).
The Sunshine Tour is expanding further into Africa with the historic launch of the new Rwanda Open from 24-27 September 2026, bringing the global vision of the Tour’s Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR to the continent.
The R2.5 million tournament will take place at the prestigious Kigali Golf Club in partnership with Visit Rwanda, the Rwanda Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Golf Union, and will include live television coverage on SuperSport.
In a true showcase of African golf, the field will comprise Sunshine Tour professionals, Rwandan professionals, leading amateur stars, and a host of players from throughout Africa in the ongoing drive to grow the game on the continent and provide a pathway for African golfers onto the HotelPlanner Tour, DP World Tour and ultimately the PGA TOUR.
The tournament, the first ever Sunshine Tour event to be staged in Rwanda, will also play a key role in driving the tourism objectives of Rwanda.
“Rwanda is positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading destinations for world-class sporting events, having successfully hosted the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the Basketball Africa League since its inaugural season in 2021, the 2023 FIFA Congress and FIFA Series 2026, and the 2024 FIA Awards. We are delighted to welcome the Sunshine Tour to Rwanda for the inaugural Rwanda Open, adding another landmark event to our growing portfolio of world-class sporting events.”
“We look forward to welcoming players, their families, and golf fans from around the world to experience not only the tournament, but also Rwanda’s warm hospitality, breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences. Whether before or after the championship, visitors will discover there is so much more to explore across the Land of a Thousand Hills,” said Janet Karemera, Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Convention Bureau.
The Rwanda Ministry of Sports has invested in golf over the past few years, and the Rwanda Open adds significantly to the already strong sporting portfolio of the country.
“The Rwanda Open 2026 represents another significant milestone in Rwanda’s journey to becoming a leading destination for international sporting events. As the country’s first Sunshine Tour-sanctioned tournament, it reflects our commitment to developing golf, creating opportunities for our athletes, and using sport as a catalyst for tourism, economic growth and international engagement. We are proud to support this historic event and look forward to welcoming players and visitors from across Africa and around the world to Kigali,” said the Honourable Nelly Mukazayire, Minister of Sports.
The Sunshine Tour already has a strong footprint as a partner in African golf, with a tournament presence in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Kenya and Uganda.
Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said the new Rwanda Open is another positive step towards offering opportunities for African golfers on the global stage.
“We are extremely proud to be partnering with Visit Rwanda in their golf and tourism objectives through the new Rwanda Open. It’s exciting for us to be able to keep growing the game in Africa and helping to provide life-changing opportunities for African golfers to realise their dreams of playing on the biggest stages in the game,” said Abt.