The World Football body, FIFA in partnership with FERWAFA is hosting a four-day FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) Knowledge Exchange Workshop which has brought together technical leaders and football development experts from Member Associations across Africa.

The workshop which started today until May 15 at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Kigali City has attracted representatives from Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Uganda, Central African Republic, The Gambia, Niger, Lesotho, and host nation Rwanda, underlining the growing collaboration among Member Associations in developing elite youth football on the continent.

The program focuses on strengthening youth national team structures, talent identification systems, international youth competition formats, and player development pathways supported through the FIFA TDS initiative. Participants are also exchanging best practices and discussing solutions to common football development challenges.

The workshop was officially opened by FERWAFA President Fabrice N. Shema, who reaffirmed FERWAFA’s commitment to transforming Rwandan football through professionalism, infrastructure investment, youth development, inclusion, and strong governance.

“Our vision is to build football that goes beyond the pitch - football as a national development tool, football as a unifying force, and football as an economic and social driver aligned with Rwanda Vision 2050 and NST2,” said President Shema.

In recognition of FERWAFA’s vision and commitment to football development, FIFA through its’s High-Performance Specialist Anthony Baffoe presented a special award to President Shema alongside General Secretary Bonnie Mugabe, encouraging the Federation to continue “dreaming bigger” for the future of Rwandan football.

The workshop further strengthens Rwanda’s growing role as a hub for football development and technical excellence in Africa.