A field of 121 golfers from 16 nations will contest the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas from 3rd to 5th September, with Kenya’s John Lejirma among the standout names.

The event marks the fifth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, a series that has steadily raised the profile of both professionals and amateurs across the region.

Lejirma, representing Royal Nairobi Golf Club, has quickly become a figure to watch.

At the Ruiru stop, he forced veteran Dismas Indiza into a playoff before finishing second, a result that signalled his growing stature in East African golf.

The Kenyan admitted his build-up has been focused on maintaining discipline rather than overcomplicating things.

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“My preparation has been about keeping things simple. I’ve been working on my consistency, sharpening my short game, and staying mentally strong, and I’m looking forward to competing at my best,” Lejirma said.

He added that improvements in two specific areas could make a difference in Kigali.

“I’ve really been working on my putting and approach play from 150 yards coming down. I feel those improvements will give me a good chance this week,” he said.

Lejirma has already gained valuable exposure by going up against professionals in Thika and Ruiru, experiences he described as essential for growth.

“Testing my game as an amateur is always a huge opportunity. Playing against experienced pros pushes me to raise my own level and shows me exactly where I need to improve. It’s motivating because you get to measure your game against some of the very best,” he explained.

The Sunshine Development Tour not only provides a competitive platform but also awards Order of Merit, Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.

For ambitious amateurs, those points carry weight in career advancement and international recognition.

Looking ahead, Lejirma has set himself a clear target.

“My personal expectations for this fifth leg of the Tour are just about putting myself in contention again and building on the lessons from previous events. If I can stay focused on my process, the results will follow,” he said.

The Kigali championship is backed by SportsBiz Africa, Johnnie Walker (EABL), Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, and Pure Travel. It also precedes the SportsBiz Africa Forum, a two–day gathering in Kigali dedicated to discussions on the continent’s sports industry.

For Lejirma, though, the conference will be background noise. His priority is to make another statement on the course and continue charting a path towards the professional ranks.