The Rwanda Football Association (Ferwafa) recently announced a series of reforms, with some taking effect starting with the 2025/26 league season, and further into the 2026/27 campaign. I'd love to call that getting to work on Day 1. And indeed, it is. Positive start for Fabrice Shema and his team. Yet, since we have been here before, my optimism must have come with caution. Caution aside, these changes are aimed at significantly shaping the future of football in the country — not only raising the competitive standard of the domestic league but also creating a more durable development route for young Rwandan players. Under the new reforms, top-flight division clubs will now be allowed to field up to eight foreign players on the pitch at any one time, an increase from the previous limit of six. In addition, the total number of foreign players listed on a match sheet will also be capped at eight, down from 10 in the previous season. In other words, clubs will not be allowed to have more than eight foreign players in any particular matchday squad. However, the impact of an increased foreign player quota is a complex issue with potential benefits and significant flaws. What is not debatable is the fact that while it can elevate the league's quality, it carries the risk of reducing opportunities for local players. The (long-term) success of this policy depends on finding a balance that ensures the league improves without sacrificing the development of Rwanda's footballing future. I have been, and I remain one of the proponents of finding a balance between foreign players quota and promoting local talents -- especially with the national team in mind and given that Rwanda is not so blessed with an abundance of foreign-based players. But I am glad that while this revision in the foreign player quota is likely to raise concerns about limiting opportunities for local players, Ferwafa has addressed this by introducing a mandatory inclusion of at least three Rwandan players under the age of 21 in every squad starting from the 2026/27 season. This two-fold strategy reflects a balance between importing talent to elevate the league's standard and supporting a foundation for long-term domestic growth. Allowing more foreign players on the pitch is widely viewed as a step towards professionalizing the Rwandan league. It mirrors policies in more established football nations where foreign talent helps raise the level of play. By facing higher-caliber opponents, local players are forced to improve technically, tactically, and physically. In a bigger picture, these reforms will be seen as necessary for Rwandan clubs to compete more effectively in CAF competitions, where they often face teams from countries with more relaxed foreign player rules. Ideally, the new policy levels the playing field and will encourage clubs to invest in more competitive squads. But this comes at a cost. Beginning with the next transfer window in January, clubs will have to pay Rwf 2 million to register each foreign player. Compared to the previous registration fees — Rwf 5,000 for local players and assistant coaches, and up to Rwf 500,000 for foreign coaches. I am assuming the new cost signals a push towards financial sustainability and better planning. It also serves as an indirect deterrent against overreliance on foreign players. Clever! Focus on youth development Requiring every club to register a minimum of three Rwandan players under the age of 21 years, is for me, arguably the most impactful part of Ferwafa’s reforms. To those who, have, for so long, called for reforms to Rwandan football, this sounds a forward-looking policy that will go a long way to address a long-standing issue. A lack of consistent pathways for young local players to gain top-level experience remains the number one hinderance to the growth of the most beautiful game in Rwanda and so many places alike. The optimism in me wants to straight away credit the Ferwafa's new president Fabrice Shema, who was elected on August 30, taking over from Alphonse Munyantwali. Shema won the election unopposed and should be to lead the federation's efforts to advance Rwandan football. By embedding youth development into the structural framework of the league, Ferwafa is ensuring that clubs prioritize nurturing homegrown talent. In a recent article, I discussed an idea that would mandate Ferwafa to require all top-flight division clubs to have a development side (U21) -- with a view for them to have their own league that would run concurrently with the national league. It's a long-term plan that requires big budget, and holistic planning that involved all stakeholders, yet, before we get to that, the latest reforms is a step in the right direction by Shema's new administration -- so long, may it continue. Under the new changes, these young players will (by law) now train and play alongside more experienced professionals, including foreign imports, accelerating their growth and improving their readiness for national team selection. My prayer is that this initiative should also reignite interest in youth academies and scouting programs, which have struggled in recent years due to limited investment and attention. There was a time in the mid-2000s when all clubs playing in the Rwanda national league had, what you would call academies. So, it's not as if we are advocating for an entirely alien idea. With a clear incentive to identify and develop young talent, clubs would be more inclined to build stronger youth systems and provide game time to emerging players. This is the best practice in places where they really mean to achieve things. Learning from other leagues: Ferwafa’s reforms are not taking place in a vacuum. European leagues like the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, and France’s Ligue 1 all have varying rules around foreign player quotas and homegrown player requirements. Notably, France’s Ligue 1 benefits from the so-called Cotonou Agreement , which exempts players from many African nations — including Rwanda — from foreign player caps. While Rwanda's league does not yet operate at those scales, these comparisons show that a mix of foreign talent and youth development is essential for any league that aims to be both competitive and sustainable. Which is why Ferwafa’s recent policy shifts represent a bold yet calculated move toward transforming the face of Rwandan football. By increasing the foreign player limit, the federation is looking to raise the level of play, and (by default) prepare clubs for continental competitions. At the same time, the emphasis on under-21 Rwandan players ensures that the future of local football is not sacrificed for short-term gains -- and for me, this is most important for the sake of Amavubi, anyone!
