OVERVIEW

CAP Rugby is a multi-country initiative led by Expertise France in partnership with the French Rugby Federation and supported by the French Development Agency (AFD). The programme is implemented across sixteen national federations spanning Africa and the Pacific, including South Africa, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Fiji, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mauritius, Uganda, Samoa, Senegal, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia and Zimbabwe. Its overarching goal is to position rugby as a tool for inclusive development, gender equality and climate resilience.

CAP Rugby aims to strengthen the organisational capacities of national rugby federations, reinforce skills at all levels of the sport and integrate cross-cutting priorities such as gender equality and environmental sustainability into governance and practice. The programme fosters cooperation between African and Pacific federations, French institutions and international rugby bodies to build a more inclusive, sustainable and professionally structured rugby ecosystem.

Through its focus on structural transformation, training and values-driven development, CAP Rugby harnesses the potential of sport to promote social inclusion, youth empowerment, gender equity and community resilience to environmental challenges.

FOUR COMPLEMENTARY PILLARS FOR SUSTAINABLE IMPACT 

• CAP Rugby Training: Scaling Competency Transfer: the training component strengthens national rugby federations through structured capacity building for coaches, referees, administrators and leaders. A regional approach supports knowledge sharing across Africa and the Pacific.
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: the programme prioritises women’s participation in both practice and governance. Awareness sessions and training help federations integrate gender equality and broader social inclusion into their policies.
• Environmental Sustainability and Climate Awareness: CAP Rugby integrates climate education into rugby activities, encouraging environmentally conscious practices and strengthening community resilience.
• International and Regional Cooperation: the programme mobilises collaboration across African and Pacific federations, regional bodies and international institutions to strengthen rugby ecosystems.
• Training of Trainers: led by the French Rugby Federation, this approach ensures long-term sustainability by enabling local educators to train future generations.

KEY DATES

The programme runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2027, with activities deployed continuously across the sixteen participating countries.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME PARTNERS

Expertise France

Expertise France leads the coordination, strategic oversight and implementation of the programme. 

French Development Agency (AFD)

AFD provides financial support, development expertise and strategic alignment with global development goals.

French Rugby Federation (FFR)

FFR leads the technical training components and contributes to governance, coaching and refereeing development.

Regional and International Sports Bodies

• Rugby Africa
• Rugby Oceania
• National rugby unions support technical expertise, leadership and regional coordination.