Rugby Africa has announced the appointment of Aïcha Diop, a former NBA Africa executive, as Chief of Staff to the President.
In her new strategic leadership role, Aïcha Diop will support, who serves as President of Rugby Africa, Executive Board Member of World Rugby, and Chairman of World Rugby Regions.
The appointment reflects Rugby Africa’s broader ambitions to strengthen sports governance, expand rugby development across the continent, and position African rugby on the global stage.
A seasoned international executive, Aïcha Diop brings more than 18 years of experience across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
During her time with NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League, she was part of the team involved in launching the Basketball Africa League, where she led multi-market initiatives and supported audience growth, brand visibility, and strategic campaigns across the continent.
Highlights Africa’s Sporting Potential
Speaking on her appointment, said she was honoured to join Rugby Africa during what she described as an exciting period for African rugby.
She highlighted the continued success of African rugby, particularly South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories in 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2023, noting that these achievements demonstrate Africa’s growing influence and potential within global sports.
Her professional background also includes involvement in major international sporting events such as Formula 1, UFC, and global football competitions, further strengthening her expertise in sports management, international operations, and high-performance sporting environments.
Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Aïcha Diop to Rugby Africa. Her exceptional track record, international exposure, and deep understanding of the sports and commercial landscape make her a remarkable addition to our leadership team. Attracting talent of this calibre reflects our ambition to elevate rugby across Africa and position Rugby Africa as a modern, high-performance organisation on the global stage.”
Strategic Role in Expanding Rugby Across Africa
As Chief of Staff, Aïcha Diop will work closely with Rugby Africa leadership to:
Drive strategic initiatives
Strengthen coordination across member unions
Expand partnerships
Support youth engagement programmes
Enhance competition development across Africa
The organisation says the appointment aligns with its long-term vision of using rugby as a tool for opportunity, unity, and sustainable development across the continent.
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