Editor’s Note:
As CHAN 2024 kicks off across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, we celebrate this moment as a testament to the potential of African football diplomacy. It’s a time to look forward with pride and optimism, as the continent shapes its future through the power of sport.
This weekend, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will make history — not with a single match, but by launching a new era of Pan-African football cooperation. Together, the three countries will co-host the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024), the first time a CAF competition is being held in three countries.
Dubbed PAMOJA, the Kiswahili word for “together,” this year’s CHAN is a symbolic moment for East Africa. It reflects a growing spirit of regional collaboration and signals an opportunity to harness football as a catalyst for unity, development, and global positioning.
The road to this moment has not been smooth. CHAN 2024 was initially scheduled for February but was postponed to August due to infrastructure and operational readiness challenges. Yet despite the high costs incurred by the host nations, marketing and public engagement have remained minimal. This disconnect between investment and visibility is a missed opportunity — one that underscores the need for better integration between event planning, grassroots activation, and long-term football development.
Later this year, Morocco will take the baton by hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Then, in 2027, East Africa will return to the spotlight as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania co-host AFCON itself — Africa’s most prestigious football tournament. These upcoming events are not just about football; they are about the potential for regional development and the excitement of what’s to come.
Importantly, Morocco is also set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, underscoring its growing role as a gateway between Africa, Europe, and the broader global football economy. Its continued investment in hosting continental and international competitions offers a powerful example of how football can be used strategically to position a country — and a continent — as a global player, with significant geopolitical implications.
For many, this string of high-level events is a win for regional infrastructure and continental visibility. But for those of us working at the intersection of football and development, it represents something even more vital:
Africa is (re)entering its football diplomacy era. The question is: Will we shape the story or simply host it?
Beyond Hosting: The Power of Strategic Narrative
There is growing global recognition that sport is a driver of diplomacy — a tool to position nations and regions on the world stage. Yet in Africa, this potential remains underleveraged.
The East African CHAN and AFCON story is not just about stadiums and fixtures — it’s a gateway to discussions around:
- Cross-border infrastructure and trade
- Regional cooperation and peacebuilding
- Youth empowerment and job creation through sport
- Sustainable investment in women’s football
- Cultural diplomacy and global soft power
These themes should not be afterthoughts. They should be baked into every press conference, campaign, partnership, and policy that surrounds our tournaments.
CHAN vs. Regional Competitions
I have previously suggested that CHAN — while noble in intent — may have reached its natural conclusion. We could instead channel resources into stronger regional competitions and accelerate the growth of women’s football, which remains underfunded despite enormous potential.
The recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco — won by Nigeria — was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when African women are given a proper stage.
From Stadiums to Systems
We must now ask: how can these high-profile tournaments leave a lasting impact beyond the scoreboard? How do we build systems that remain long after the stadium lights go out?
This is where leadership, collaboration, and accountability will matter most. The choices we make between now and 2027 will shape whether this is a missed moment or a foundational one.
At The Football Foundation for Africa, we are focused on ensuring that football development, education, and governance are central to this journey.
Let’s host. Let’s celebrate. But most importantly — let’s build..
Call to Action (CTA):
Interested in collaborating with us on this journey? Reach out via info@footballfoundation.africa or join us at the upcoming Africa Football Business Summit 2025, themed “Building Africa’s Football Future: Investment, Governance & Grassroots.” We are seeking partners, sponsors, speakers and delegates to drive meaningful conversations and long-term impact.
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