Brila Media Group chief executive Debbie Izamoje Okolie joined sports leaders, investors, policymakers, federation representatives and media executives from across Africa at the third SportsBiz Africa Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
Staged at the Kigali Convention Centre from September 10 to 11, the event examined the commercial, investment and developmental opportunities shaping sport across the continent.
The forum was convened with the support of the African Union Sports Council and the Rwanda Events Group. Its programme began on Wednesday, September 9, with a ministerial roundtable titled “The Link Between Business and Sport in Service of Africa’s Development.”
Sports ministers from several African countries took part alongside representatives of development organisations and private-sector figures.
Okolie appeared on the first day’s plenary session, “Women Powering Africa’s Sports Economy”. The discussion focused on how women are influencing sport’s commercial landscape through broadcasting and media, sponsorship and other business partnerships, leadership roles and grassroots initiatives.
Women in senior positions across the industry used the session to examine their impact on Africa’s sports economy, as well as their expanding presence in management, enterprise, media and key decision-making roles.
As the head of Brila Media Group, Okolie contributed expertise gained from working across sport, media, fan audiences and commercial partnerships in Nigeria’s sports sector.
She was among three Nigerians invited to the gathering by the Rwandan government and the African Union.
During Okolie’s tenure, Brila Media has broadened its operations beyond conventional sports broadcasting, adding digital publishing, sports storytelling, commercial collaborations and audience-focused initiatives.
Her appearance underlined the importance of sports media in bringing fans, companies and sports properties together at a time when Africa’s industry is drawing increasing attention from investors and other stakeholders.
Sessions at the forum covered a wide range of themes, including sports commerce and funding, governance and public policy, broadcasting and media, technology, the development of talent, women in sports business and esports.
Participants also considered the expanding contribution of women throughout the sports value chain, from athletes and administrators to executives, journalists and other media specialists, entrepreneurs, investors and decision-makers.
For Nigeria, Okolie’s presence created a platform for an established sports media company to contribute its experience to the broader continental debate about the industry’s direction.
Her input also reinforced how media organisations can expand fan communities, generate commercial opportunities and build stronger relationships among supporters, brands and sporting properties.
