By Jean de Dieu Nduwayezu: SECOTO Magazine EAC’s Chief Editor
As the excitement for the 6th Edition of the Arsenal Africa Fans Festival builds up, the focus is not just on the football matches, but on a powerful, community-driven initiative that will leave a lasting mark on Rwanda’s environment. From April 18th to 20th, 2025, Arsenal fans from across Africa will converge on Kigali, Rwanda, to celebrate their love for the game—but also to take meaningful action for the planet.
Through a partnership with ORION BBC and the #OneShotOneTree campaign, the festival is calling on Arsenal fans to do more than cheer on their team. They will unite to plant hundreds of trees across Rwanda, making a tangible contribution to the country’s efforts to restore its ecosystems and fight climate change.
Mutabazi James, President of ORION BBC, emphasized the significance of the tree-planting initiative during the festival’s launch:
“We want to plant as many trees as possible on that day, and I appreciate Rwanda Arsenal Fans for thinking beyond what they do and coming to support us in preserving the environment through tree plantation.”
Bigango Valentin, President of the Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community, also shared his excitement for the festival’s environmental focus:
“We’re more than just football fans—we’re environmental champions. Each tree we plant is a commitment to a healthier Rwanda, and it’s our way of ensuring that future generations can enjoy a vibrant, green world. We hope our collective action will inspire fans everywhere to think beyond the pitch and contribute to the planet’s well-being.”
The tree planting will take place on April 21st, 2025, in Bugesera District, where fans will roll up their sleeves and join together to make a lasting impact. Dressed in their beloved Arsenal colors and armed with seedlings, fans will plant trees as part of a broader initiative to restore Rwanda’s natural beauty.
But the festival is not only about planting trees. It will also include a commemorative football match, played in honor of one of the founding members of the Arsenal supporters’ movement. Fans will reflect on the legacy of those who helped build the community they cherish today. Later, they will visit the Ntarama Genocide Memorial, where they will pay their respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This solemn visit will remind attendees of the importance of unity, peace, and remembrance
The Arsenal Africa Fans Festival is set to be a milestone event—one that blends the joy of football with a deep sense of responsibility toward the environment and the future. The fans’ commitment to sustainability and the preservation of Rwanda’s natural resources, along with their tribute to the country’s painful past, showcases how football can unite people to take action for the planet, the community, and the world at large.
The tree planting in the coming days will be a reminder that football fans can do much more than cheer—they can be the force behind positive change. Greening the Game is more than a slogan; it’s a commitment to leaving a legacy of hope and environmental responsibility for future generations.
