Herbert Mensah takes Africa’s sports economy case to the UN General Assembly Week in New York

Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah will take the case for Africa retaining more of the economic value created by its sporting talent to the global stage after accepting an invitation to speak at Unstoppable Africa 2026, the flagship gathering of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) during United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.

Mensah, who also serves on the World Rugby Executive Board and chairs World Rugby Regions, will participate on September 21 in the session “Real Value from the Field: Protecting and Profiting from Africa’s Talent Pipeline.” The discussion will examine how better contracts, smarter scouting systems and stronger regional leagues can help ensure that a greater share of the value generated by African athletes remains within the continent’s clubs, academies, communities and sporting institutions.