As Rwanda prepares to host the UCI World Cycling Championship, the excitement is already building in and around Kigali. This is not just a race for professional cyclists; it is a moment of pride and opportunity for the entire country.

The world’s eyes will be on Kigali and our hills, and it is up to us to ensure the experience is as memorable off the track as it will be on it. This is the first time that the highly-billed race will be coming to Africa

The organisers have done their part in positioning Rwanda as a worthy host of this global event. But their work alone will not make the championship a success. Every Rwandan, from business owners to ordinary citizens, has a role to play.

Tens of thousands of visitors will arrive for the showpiece, and with them comes a chance to showcase our famed hospitality. Restaurants, hotels, transport services, and even small shops should already be thinking about how to serve and impress.

For context, during the last edition held in Scotland, at least 90,000 international visitors flocked the European country to witness the race.

This is the time for creativity, for tailoring services to visitors, and for leaving them with memories they will carry back to their countries.

Equally important is the atmosphere along the racing routes. A championship of this magnitude deserves a lively audience, and that responsibility rests with us. Rwandans are being called upon to show up in big numbers, to bring energy, song, and colour that reflect the spirit of our nation.

Corporate entities too must step forward to ensure the fan zones are vibrant and welcoming. These spaces should not be passive viewing points but places where the experience is elevated, where the love of cycling meets the joy of community.

This is more than just sport; it is an economic and cultural moment. The benefits will be long-lasting if we embrace it fully. Visitors who are impressed by Rwanda’s warmth and efficiency will return, and they will tell others about their experience. The championship is therefore a chance to market Rwanda far beyond cycling.

Opportunities like this do not come often. Hosting the UCI World Cycling Championship is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for our country, and it should not be put to waste. Let us rise together to make it unforgettable—for the cyclists, for the visitors, and most importantly, for Rwanda.