Dignitaries from various sectors graced the opening ceremony, including Rwanda’s Minister of State of Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, Chief Tourism Officer at RDB, Irene Murerwa and presidents of national sports federations.

The event also drew prominent fan leaders like Bigango Valentin of the Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community (RAFC). At the heart of the festival was a powerful message from Minister Rwego Ngarambe, who called on African fans not only to support Arsenal but to invest in the future of African football.

“We are Arsenal fans from different African countries, let’s give ourselves the mission to do everything possible so that one day we have players from our own countries playing for this great club,” he urged.

Beyond the official speeches and celebrations, the festival offered a packed program, including visits to iconic sites like the Ntarama Genocide Memorial and Amahoro Stadium. Fans also committed to giving back, with planned donations to Aheza Healing and Career Center and a joint tree-planting activity with Orion BBC.

Social events added even more sparkle to the weekend, with friendly matches, tourism excursions, and a highly anticipated group screening of the Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town match on Sunday afternoon.

The festival, last hosted in Rwanda in 2018, returned with even more energy and international presence, welcoming fans from Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone.

This gathering also underscored the ongoing partnership between Rwanda and Arsenal through the Visit Rwanda campaign, proudly featured on the club’s left sleeve since 2018, a symbol of growing ties between global football and African ambition.

State Minister of Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, who called on African fans not only to support Arsenal but to invest in the future of African football.

The event also drew prominent fan leaders like Bigango Valentin of the Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community (RAFC).

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe attended the festival launch.

Arsenal fans from Tanzania also graced the occasion.

Chief Tourism Officer at RDB, Irene Murerwa was also present.

This gathering also underscored the ongoing partnership between Rwanda and Arsenal through the Visit Rwanda campaign.