Eleven national teams from across Africa are set to converge in Nairobi for the 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens Cup, which will take place at the RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road.
In a statement on Thursday, November 13, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the event, a World Rugby Challenger Series (SVNS Division 3) qualifier, will take place from November 14 to 15, 2025.
"On behalf of the Government of Kenya, I am delighted to welcome Africa to the 2025 Africa Women's Sevens Cup, a World Rugby Challenger Series (SVNS Division 3) qualifier, scheduled for November 14-15, 2025 at the RFUEA Grounds, Ngong Road, Nairobi.
"We extend a warm welcome to the 11 national teams - Zambia, Tunisia, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, and Ghana - that will converge in Nairobi for this premier continental rugby spectacle," he said.
Mvurya noted that Kenya has a rich history in the women’s rugby competition and expressed confidence in the national team’s preparations to reclaim the continental title.
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"Historically, Kenya has won the Africa Women's Sevens Cup once and finished as runners-up several times. This year, the Lionesses are determined to reclaim the continental crown and solidify their pursuit of core status in the HSBC SVNS Series," he added.
Mvurya added that this year’s edition holds special significance as it ushers in a new competitive season for the women’s game in Kenya.
He noted that while Kenya already has a spot in SVNS Division 2, the Lionesses will still be playing for pride and regional dominance.
"The 2025 edition marks the beginning of a crucial season for women's rugby in Kenya. The tournament winner will qualify for the Challenger event in January 2026. While Kenya has already secured a place in SVNS Division 2, the team will be playing to defend national pride and secure the African title.
"The current champions, South Africa, will also be eyeing qualification, alongside past winners Uganda, Tunisia and the ever exciting Madagascar, setting the stage for an electrifying championship," he further said.
Mvurya reiterated the the government support for the team and commended the Lionesses for their resilience and contribution to promoting women’s sports in Kenya.
"As a country, we stand proudly behind our Lionesses. They represent the strength, unity, and determination of Kenyan women, a testament to the transformative power of sport in building opportunity and national pride," he stated.
Mvurya concluded his statement by inviting fans, officials, and partners from across Africa to join in celebrating the spirit of competition and unity that defines the sport.
"I take this opportunity to welcome all participating teams, officials, fans, and partners to Nairobi and to the RFUEA Grounds for what promises to be an electrifying edition of the Africa Women's Sevens Cup. Together, let us celebrate the breakable spirit of competition, unity, and excellence that defines African rugby," he concluded.
The Africa Women’s Sevens Championship was first held in 2006 in Kampala, Uganda.
The early editions featured only a handful of teams, mostly from East and North Africa, and were aimed at laying the foundation for a structured competition under Rugby Africa.
What started as a small regional contest has grown into a major event, serving as a qualification pathway for global tournaments such as the Olympic Games, the Rugby World Cup Sevens, and the World Rugby Challenger Series.
The format has evolved to include more teams and structured qualifiers, with the 2022 edition featuring nine nations and the 2024 tournament in Ghana expanding to twelve teams.
Hosting duties have rotated across Africa; notable host countries include Uganda, Tunisia, Botswana, Ghana, and Kenya which first hosted the tournament in 2014 in Machakos.
South Africa has been the dominant force in the competition’s history, winning a record eleven titles.
Kenya’s Lionesses broke South Africa’s dominance in 2018 when they won their first-ever title in Gaborone, Botswana.
