South Africa's two-time DP World Tour champion Haydn Porteous has enlisted for the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championships to be held in Kigali from September 3 to 5.
This will be the fifth edition of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing 2025 — and will be played at the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas.
Porteous, a two-time DP World winner (2016 Joburg Open and 2017 Czech Masters), a former Kenya Open champion ( 2015) and a Sunshine Tour winner (2016 Investec Cup), is among the star-studded field of over 120 golfers.
The golfers are drawn from 16 nationalities, including Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, South Africa, Egypt, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Porteous will be part of a strong South African contingent that includes Ivanna Samu, one of the region’s most promising lady professionals, alongside seasoned pros Breen Adam, Harry Konig, Slenda Sithebe, Duma Yolanda, Shawnelle de Lange, Travis Procter and Myeji Zethu.
Hosts Rwanda will be well represented by 29 golfers, led by Celestin Nsanzuwera, who won the Sunshine Development Tour’s Johnnie Walker Classic in Diani earlier this month, as well as Olivier Munyaneza, Jules Dusabe, and elite amateurs Didas Ndindabahizi, Paul Ntaganda, Benjamin Mukisa, and Jean D’amour Hitayezu.
Kenya’s strong contingent will feature the in-form Njoroge Kibugu – two-time winner of the Sunshine Development Tour with wins at the Thika Greens Golf Resort and the Nyali Golf & Country Club; Dismas Indiza – winner of the Ruiru Sports Club leg of the tournament; Daniel Nduva, Rizwan Charania, Greg Snow, Mutahi Kibugu, and veteran Simon Ngige.
Elite amateurs John Lejirma and Michael Karanga are also expected to put up strong performances.
Uganda’s challenge will be spearheaded by Ronald Rugumayo, a consistent performer on the Swing, alongside Abraham Ainamani, Phillip Kasozi, Adolf Muhumuza and elite amateurs such as Ignatious Twesigye and Tarzan David Lubega.
Other big names from Africa include Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya, Tonderayi Masunga, and Nyasha Muyambo, Nigeria’s Andrew Odoh, Gift Willy, and Olapade Sunday, Ghana’s Ezekiel Afisco, Cameroon’s Martial Kuitchou and Pristhy Nji and Malawi’s Paul Chidale.
Scott Davey of the United Kingdom, an elite amateur, and Daniel Core from Canada, a seasoned professional, are expected to put up a strong challenge.
The women’s field has Kenya’s Naomi Wafula, Uganda’s Irene Nakalembe and Lillian Koowe, Rwanda’s junior standout Noeline Narubega, and South Africa’s Yolanda, Zethu, and De Lange all vying for a place at the top of the leaderboard.
The three-day, 54-hole tournament has a Sh3.2 million prize purse and will feature a cut after 36 holes, with the top 30 players and ties advancing to the final round.
Beyond the prize money, the event offers Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, making it a critical stop for professionals and elite amateurs aiming to climb the global ladder and even position themselves for potential qualification to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Sunshine Development Tour promoter Charles Gacheru said: “We are excited to be taking the Sunshine Development Tour to the Land of a Thousand Hills in collaboration with our partners, SportsBiz Africa. This is part of our vision of having a regional golf tour that offers professionals and elite amateurs a pathway to global golf, and we are pleased to see such a massive interest from golfers from 16 countries signing up to be part of the occasion. This turnout is a clear sign of the confidence that players, sponsors, and fans are placing in the East Africa Swing.”
“With such a competitive line-up, including international stars like Haydn Porteous and homegrown talent like Celestin Nsanzuwera, we expect three days of thrilling golf in Kigali. The level of competition will not only push our players to raise their game but also demonstrate to the world that East Africa is ready to host world-class golf events,” he added.
SportsBiz Africa Forum lead, Christian Gakwaya, said: “We are proud to have the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship as part of our Forum calendar. Our mission with the Forum has always been to grow Africa’s sports industry by connecting key players, investors, and decision makers, and this tournament captures that vision perfectly."
"Golf is not only a sport but also a driver of tourism, attracts investment, and gives our athletes global exposure. Hosting this event in Kigali shows how sports can contribute to Rwanda’s growth and how Africa can use sport as a powerful tool for sustainable development.”
