Chief Executive Officer of Brila Media Group, Debbie Izamoje Okolie, has joined sports executives, investors, policymakers, federation officials and media leaders from across Africa at the third SportsBiz Africa Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

The forum, which began on September 9 at the Kigali Convention Centre, is examining the business, investment and development opportunities shaping Africa’s sports industry.

Held under the auspices of the African Union Sports Council and the Rwanda Events Group, the forum opened with a ministerial roundtable on the link between business and sport in driving Africa’s development.

Okolie was among the speakers at a Day One plenary session, “Women Powering Africa’s Sports Economy,” which examined the growing role of women in sports business, media, executive leadership and decision-making.

The session also considered the contribution of women to commercial partnerships, grassroots development and the broader growth of the continent’s sports economy.

As head of Brila Media Group, Okolie brought to the discussion experience from Nigeria’s sports media market, particularly in broadcasting, digital content, sports storytelling, commercial partnerships and audience engagement.

She was also one of three Nigerians invited by the Rwandan government and the African Union to participate in the forum.

The development comes as Africa’s sports industry attracts increasing interest from brands, investors and other stakeholders, with media rights, sponsorship, technology, fan engagement, talent development and infrastructure emerging as key drivers of its commercial growth.

The September 10–11 forum is bringing together stakeholders across the sports ecosystem to deliberate on business and investment, policy and governance, media and broadcasting, technology, talent development, women in sports business and esports.

For Nigeria, Okolie’s participation provides an opportunity to bring the experience of one of the country’s established sports media organisations into the wider continental conversation on the future of sports business.

Nigeria’s large sports audience and strong connection between sports, media and popular culture have made the country an important market in Africa’s expanding sports economy.