Thiaw landed at Kigali International Airport on Monday ahead of the forum, which brings together figures from across Africa’s sports industry.

The former Senegal international will feature in a session focusing on leadership and resilience in African sport, drawing on a career that has taken him from the football pitch to the highest levels of coaching.

Thiaw was part of Senegal’s celebrated 2002 generation that reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan and finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations the same year.

As a player, he also became the first Senegalese footballer to feature in Spain’s La Liga. His playing career included spells in France, Switzerland, Russia and Spain, while he earned 16 international caps for Senegal.

After retiring from playing, Thiaw turned to coaching and earned both UEFA A and CAF A coaching licences.

He began his managerial career with ASC Niarry Tally before taking charge of Senegal’s local national team, known as Team A’. Under his leadership, Senegal returned to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2022 after more than a decade away from the competition.

Thiaw then guided the team to the CHAN title in his debut tournament, strengthening his reputation as one of the country’s promising homegrown coaches.

He was appointed head coach of the senior Senegal national team in late 2024 and subsequently guided the Lions of Teranga through an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His tenure also saw Senegal claim the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title on the pitch against hosts Morocco in January 2026. However, the final status of the result remains subject to a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling expected in October 2026.

Beyond his achievements on the pitch, Thiaw’s journey from international player to senior national team coach has highlighted the potential of African coaches and locally developed football talent.

His appearance at the SportsBiz Africa Forum is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss the pressures facing coaches, leadership, accountability and the structures needed to develop competitive football systems on the continent.

Thiaw’s story also reflects the growing conversation around investing in African coaches and strengthening domestic football pathways as countries seek to build sustainable sporting success.

The SportsBiz Africa Forum, scheduled to take place from 10–11 September 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre, will bring together stakeholders from across the sports ecosystem to discuss opportunities, challenges and the future of the industry on the continent.