During the 2nd Rwanda Nordic and Baltic Business Forum in Kigali, I participated as a panel discussant in a session titled "Investing in Academic Esports as a Strategic Pathway to Future Ready Skills and Employment". The discussion brought together representatives from higher education, national institutions, and industry to explore how esports can contribute to skills development and economic growth.

The panel addressed how academic esports programmes can support the development of competencies that are increasingly relevant within digital industries. Drawing on my experience as both a graduate of the Academic Esports bachelor programme and someone actively involved in esports events and education, I discussed how programmes in this field help students develop transferable skills such as event management, production, teamwork, digital literacy, and strategic thinking.

A key focus of the discussion was the broader economic potential of esports. Rwanda has positioned itself as a growing conference and events hub in Africa, and this creates opportunities for esports through event hosting, facility development, and the creation of supporting ecosystems around gaming, technology, and digital media.

Participating in the forum provided an opportunity to contribute to conversations on how esports can intersect with education, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration. It also reinforced the growing recognition of academic esports as a pathway for preparing students to engage with emerging digital industries.