Kenya has intensified preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya highlighting renewed momentum following high-level talks involving regional partners and the Confederation of African Football
The meeting, which included Patrice Motsepe and sports ministers from across East Africa, is being seen as a significant step in refining the organisational structure for the tournament. The 2027 finals will be hosted jointly by countries in the region under the Pamoja framework.
Mvurya described the engagement as a key milestone in aligning preparations and strengthening cooperation among the host nations.
“It was my distinct honour to host the President of CAF Motsepe, alongside fellow PAMOJA Ministers of Sports and Presidents of the Pamoja Federations, as we advanced strategic consultations on the joint hosting preparations for the 2027 AFCON,” Mvurya said.
He explained that discussions centred on developing a comprehensive operational framework to guide preparations, including governance structures, coordination systems and financing strategies.
“We jointly assessed the operational grounding framework that will provide direction towards the establishment of critical hosting structures, harmonised government policies, coordination mechanisms, and sustainable financial frameworks necessary for the successful delivery of the continental tournament,” he added.
According to Mvurya, the latest round of talks builds on earlier agreements reached during a meeting in Kampala, where participating countries outlined a roadmap and implementation plan for their respective roles.
“The meeting builds on the resolutions of the Kampala Kick-off Meeting, where the PAMOJA countries laid out the roadmap and implementation matrix for our respective countries’ preparations,” he said.
He also pointed to growing confidence within the region and from CAF leadership regarding East Africa’s ability to host the tournament successfully.
“We warmly welcomed Motsepe’s continued confidence in the PAMOJA bid and East Africa’s collective capability to rewrite history by successfully staging one of the most iconic football tournaments on the continent,” Mvurya stated.
The 2027 tournament is set to mark a milestone for African football, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the competition. It will also be the final edition to be staged in an odd-numbered year before the Confederation of African Football transitions the tournament to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028.
Preparations are expected to continue in the coming months as host nations work to meet CAF’s requirements and deliver what organisers hope will be a landmark edition of Africa’s premier football competition.
