Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the French Rugby Federation, the French Development Agency, and Expertise France for the CAP Rugby Project at the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS)

CAP Rugby: A Transformative Project for Inclusive and Sustainable Rugby

This strategic partnership aims to strengthen the impact of rugby as a tool for development, social inclusion, and sustainability through several key areas:

• Building the capacity of local federations by implementing training and support initiatives to enhance the skills of rugby federations in Africa and the Pacific.
• Promoting social inclusion and gender equality by encouraging women's rugby, raising awareness about equality, and fostering empowerment through sports.
• Raising environmental awareness through rugby by promoting climate consciousness and environmental preservation.

The AFD Group Converts the Try with a Strong Commitment to Rugby Development in Africa and the Pacific. 

The signing of this agreement marks a deepening collaboration between FFR, AFD, and Expertise France. This project builds upon previous initiatives, including the promotion of women's rugby in Africa with FFR and Rugby Africa—an effort launched during the Rugby World Cup in France 2023—as well as the momentum generated by the "Sport for Sustainable Development" (#S4SD) Summit, held on the eve of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

The FFR will serve as the project’s key partner, with funding provided by AFD and implementation led by Expertise France. The project will involve and engage the South African Rugby Union (SARU), the Fiji Rugby Union, and regional and international governing bodies such as World Rugby, Rugby Africa, and Rugby Oceania.

What they say :

Abdelatif Benazzi, Vice President of the French Rugby Federation

"In our ambition to strengthen France’s leadership in promoting and developing our vision of rugby internationally, particularly in regions where the sport is rapidly emerging, this agreement lays a crucial foundation for a stronger, more inclusive, and impactful rugby. Through this collaboration between the FFR, AFD, and Expertise France, we are taking a new step forward in making rugby a powerful driver of social inclusion in Africa. With CAP Rugby, we will support emerging federations, train coaches and referees, and provide young people—especially girls—with the opportunity to thrive through sport.This project is part of a broader vision of a committed rugby, driving meaningful and lasting impact."

Rémy Rioux, CEO of the French Development Agency    

"At the 2025 Finance in Common Summit in South Africa—a land of rugby and resilience—the AFD Group reaffirms its commitment to placing sports at the heart of its solidarity-based and sustainable investments. With the CAP Rugby project, developed in partnership with the French Rugby Federation and Expertise France, we are converting the try by launching an innovative initiative that goes beyond the game itself to tackle challenges related to social inclusion, equality, and ecological transition in Africa and the Pacific. This project fully embodies the convergence of the worlds of sports and development finance, positioning rugby as a true accelerator of sustainable development."

Jérémie Pellet, CEO of Expertise France                                    

"The CAP Rugby project is committed to making sports a powerful driver of economic development and inclusion in Africa and the Pacific. By leveraging the expertise of the FFR and local federations, Expertise France will support rugby stakeholders and promote initiatives that encourage women and girls' participation while integrating environmentally responsible practices in sports. In rugby, as in international cooperation, the best way to move forward is by playing as a team! »

About the French Rugby Federation                                       

The French Rugby Federation (FFR) is a non-profit association (Law 1901) founded on May 13, 1919, responsible for organizing and developing rugby union (XV), rugby tens (X), rugby sevens (7), and rugby five (5) in France. As a delegated body of the Ministry of Sports, it oversees the administration, regulation, and development of amateur rugby across the country while ensuring the high-level performance of the French national teams. More information : https://www.ffr.fr

About the French Development Agency (AFD)                                  

The AFD Group helps implement France’s development and international solidarity policies. Comprising the French Development Agency (AFD), responsible for financing the public sector, NGOs, research, and training on sustainable development; its subsidiary Proparco, dedicated to private sector financing; and soon Expertise France, a technical cooperation agency, the AFD Group funds, supports, and accelerates transitions toward a fairer and more resilient world.

Together with our partners, we build shared solutions with and for the people of the Global South. Our teams are engaged in over 4,000 projects across the field—in the French overseas territories, 115 countries, and crisis-affected areas—addressing global public goods such as climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, education, and health. Through these efforts, we contribute to France’s and the French people's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More information: www.afd.fr

About Expertise France                                                

Expertise France, a public agency and an interministerial player in international technical cooperation, is a subsidiary of the French Development Agency Group (AFD Group). As the second-largest agency of its kind in Europe, it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries.

From governance and security to climate, health, and education, Expertise France works on key development areas and, alongside its partners, helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn more: www.expertisefrance.fr