Africa Women’s 7s 2025: Why Nairobi Is Ultimate Battleground for Olympic Qualification

Sports and Creative Economy Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has officially welcomed the continental teams arriving to compete in the 2025 Africa Women’s 7s Cup, a tournament that also serves as a crucial World Rugby Challenger Series (SVNS Division 3) qualifier.

The premier showpiece is scheduled to take place from Friday, November 14, to Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the historic RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road, Nairobi. 

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A total of 11 national teams have arrived for the continental rugby spectacle including Zambia, Tunisia, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Egypt, and Ghana.

“I am pleased to welcome Africa to the 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens Cup, a World Rugby Challenger Series (SVNS Division 3) qualifier, scheduled for 14th–15th November 2025 at the RFUEA Grounds, Ngong Road, Nairobi,” Mvurya wrote on X.

“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 have arrived for this premier continental rugby spectacle,” he added.

The Kenya Lionesses are focused on leveraging their home-ground advantage to not only win the tournament but also to secure a spot in the HSBC SVNS Series.

“As a country, we stand firmly proud and confident in our Kenya Lionesses who are ready, focused, and determined to reclaim the continental crown and advance their quest for core status in the HSBC SVNS Series,” Mvurya stated.

The CS concluded with a passionate call to action for local supporters: “Let us turn up in our numbers and demonstrate the unbreakable spirit of African rugby.”

The 12 teams have been drawn into four competitive groups

 Pool A is headlined by the dominant defending champions, South Africa, who are joined by Zimbabwe and Mauritius.8 Pool B features the host Kenya Lionesses, who will face Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Pool C sees Uganda, Zambia, and Burkina Faso drawn together, while Pool D consists of Madagascar, Tunisia, and Egypt.

The Africa Women’s Sevens Cup has grown significantly since its humble beginnings.

 First held in 2004 in Tunisia with only Northern African teams participating, it has blossomed into one of the continent’s premier rugby tournaments, showcasing the incredible rise of the women’s game across Africa.

The competition's trajectory shifted dramatically after Rugby Sevens was accepted as an Olympic sport in 2009.

 Initially serving as a qualifier for the 2008 Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens, the tournament has evolved from nine teams to 12 by 2024, achieving parity with the men's category.

Over the years, South Africa has been the most dominant force, securing an impressive 11 titles. However, both Kenya and Tunisia have also made history by claiming one victory each.

The Cup has been instrumental in providing African nations with pathways to global platforms like the Olympics and the HSBC Sevens Challenger Series.

This weekend’s event marks the second time the tournament is being hosted in Kenya, the first being in 2014, as Nairobi once again becomes the stage for the continent's best.