Rayon Sports is planning to spend about Rwf1.8 billion during the 2026/27 season as the club steps up investment in its squad and seeks to strengthen its financial position.
The figure was disclosed by interim club president Murenzi Abdallah during an interview with Radio/TV10, where he also addressed the club’s wage bill, sponsorships, new kits and plans for a team bus.
Murenzi said the club’s player wage bill is expected to range between Rwf100 million and Rwf120 million.
Rayon Sports is also preparing to introduce new playing kits. Murenzi said the kits were expected to clear customs on August 26 or August 27.
If the kits arrive on Wednesday, the club plans to wear them in Thursday’s FERWAFA Super Cup semi-final against Police FC. If they arrive on Thursday, they will instead be unveiled during the club’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
The delay was partly attributed to changes in the club’s shirt sponsorship arrangements. Bank of Kigali is now set to feature on the front of Rayon Sports’ shirts, following its new partnership with the club.
Rayon Sports also renewed its partnership with Skol in June in a one-year agreement valued at Rwf185 million, while Jayrutty Investment East Africa has a five-year partnership with the club covering playing and training equipment.
Murenzi dismissed suggestions that the delay in the new kits represented a breach of the agreement with Jayrutty, saying the company had fulfilled its financial obligation, including a payment equivalent to 10% of the agreed amount.
He also gave an update on the long-awaited team bus that Airtel Rwanda committed to provide. According to Murenzi, the club has given Airtel 45 days to deliver the bus, with Rayon Sports expecting it by the end of September.
On the club’s finances, Murenzi said Rayon Sports is moving towards a more commercially driven model as it increases its budget and seeks to build a financially sustainable institution.
He said the club had settled about 90% of its outstanding obligations to players in line with agreed contracts. The remaining cases include Nshimimana Fabrice and Ndayishimiye Didier, who are still involved in discussions with the clubs that raised claims against them, as well as recent signings Mohamed Outtara, Elie “Eldihno” Mokono and Moise Sandja Bulaya.
The increased spending comes as Rayon Sports targets a stronger campaign in continental competition. The club is preparing for the FERWAFA Super Cup before beginning its CAF Confederation Cup campaign against Cameroon’s Panthère Sportive du Ndé FC.
The club’s financial strategy has increasingly centred on commercial partnerships, with Bank of Kigali positioned as its main partner and expected to generate additional revenue through services targeting the club’s supporters.
Murenzi recently visited the team during training at the Skol ground in Nzove as preparations intensified for the Super Cup.
