As the excitement takes root in Rwanda’s capital, the sounds of cheers still echo across the thousand hills. The 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the first ever held on African soil in the event’s long 103-year history, didn’t just end last Sunday; it propelled Rwanda—and indeed the continent—into a new era of global recognition. From the intense time trials on September 21 to Tadej Pogačar’s daring solo breakaway that secured the men’s elite road race gold, this was no ordinary sporting event. It was a display of ambition, executed with the precision of a well-coordinated peloton cutting through the wind. ALSO READ: Kagame praises successful UCI championships in Kigali One cannot talk about Rwanda’s success without acknowledging the key figures behind it. To His Excellency President Paul Kagame, whose visionary leadership has transformed a nation once marked by unimaginable tragedy into a symbol of innovation and stability, Rwanda owes an immense debt. His steadfast commitment to excellence, from seamless infrastructure improvements to the bold bid that outperformed Morocco in 2021, has etched Rwanda’s name into the annals of international sports. This event wasn’t a coincidence; it was the result of deliberate nation-building, where sport serves as both a unifier and an economic driver. Equally deserving of praise are the unsung heroes; government ministries that managed logistics with military-like efficiency, the Rwanda Development Board and UCI’s dedicated partners who invested resources into this continental debut, and the security forces whose invisible vigilance ensured every rider could pedal safely amidst crowds that reached historic levels. ALSO READ: My day at UCI 2025 Road World Championships UCI President David Lappartient perfectly captured the world’s sentiment at the closing gala: “This week in Kigali has not only met our expectations; it has far surpassed them. The cycling community has fallen in love with Rwanda, its countryside, its people, its beauty, its energy.” And then there were the Rwandans themselves, the volunteers who worked through the nights setting up barriers along the cycling routes, then stood by them during the day, the families who brought joy to the fan zones and lined the 267.5-kilometer route with flags, the children who high-fived world champions as they passed by. As Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire stated, “For Rwanda, this is more than an event. It is a testament to our collective spirit: disciplined, resilient, and unyieldingly proud.” ALSO READ: The UCI Road World Championships through the eyes of a muturage The world took notice. Ben Healy, bronze medalist in the men’s elite road race, tweeted about the “incredible discipline” of Kigali’s crowds “huge, but nobody steps on the road.” Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay, Africa’s rising Tour de France stage winner, said that Rwanda’s terrain would “provide more opportunities for African riders,” inspiring a new generation from Addis Ababa to Cape Town. ALSO READ: Legendary Burundian musician Khadja Nin ‘so proud’ to witness first UCI World Championships in Africa Beyond the peloton, regional voices amplified the global praise. BBC’s Alan Kasujja, who has seen Rwanda evolve from fragility to strength, remarked: “Rwanda’s UCI triumph is a masterstroke – clean streets, flawless execution, and a warmth that disarms even the most jaded traveler. This isn’t just cycling; it’s Africa rewriting the script on what excellence looks like. One day, we will ask PK how he did it.” Veteran columnist Charles Onyango-Obbo was equally emphatic: “Rwanda hosting the UCI Worlds isn’t mere spectacle; it’s a quiet revolution. While neighbors struggle with unrest, Kigali’s hills hosted harmony—crowds cheering not in division, but in unity. Kagame’s Rwanda reminds us: sports can heal, build, and boldly claim the future.” Of course, not everyone was happy. Rwanda’s usual critics tried to push their tired arguments uphill, only to collapse like sprinters running out of gas in the final 200 meters. Remember their gloomy pre-event comments and murmurs of “sportswashing.” ALSO READ: UCI 2025: Why the fury over Rwanda’s ‘sportswashing’? Then reality struck: 769 riders from 108 nations conquered Rwanda’s hills without a single issue, hotels were filled to 95% capacity, and not a single safety incident marred the event. The doomsayers were left speechless, their keyboards producing more hot air than analysis. As one X user quipped: “Haters predicted apocalypse; Rwanda delivered euphoria. Samuel Baker Byansi and your group, who’s pedalling backwards now?” It is almost comical. For them, Rwanda’s hospitality is propaganda, its security is a facade, and its global success is an anomaly. To such skeptics, here’s some advice: at least find fresh material. Recycling the same lines while the rest of the world applauds is like booing at a wedding—awkward, futile, and slightly embarrassing. As the Rwanda haters recover from their post-hate hangover, and the country settles from the euphoria of the UCI, Visit Rwanda is taking the game of sports sponsorship to another level. The brand has partnered with the LA Rams and Clippers, and BK Arena will host the first-ever PFL Africa Semifinals on October 18, a clear signal that Rwanda is no longer just hosting events; it is shaping and owning the sports narrative on the continent. This is how vision turns into momentum: global attention, local pride, and tangible investments all flowing into a coherent, forward-looking strategy. As the peloton packs up for Montreal 2026, Rwanda doesn’t say goodbye—it waves hello to tomorrow. The UCI Road World Championships were more than a race; they were a revelation. Africa, through Rwanda’s lens, is not “emerging.” It has arrived, rainbow jersey and all. So, to the critics who predicted disaster: thank you for your motivational comedy. To the athletes and fans who came, cheered, and left inspired: Mwarakoze cyane! And to the world, the hills are calling. The view from the top is breathtaking. And to our president, Paul Kagame, we Rwandans know that the debt we owe you is not measurable in years or words, but in unwavering support. In steadfast belief, collective pride, and the determination to continue building the Rwanda you envisioned. The writer is a development and alternative financing strategist.
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