CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe is set to attend the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on 11 and 12 May 2026, where discussions will focus on Africa’s development, innovation and regional cooperation.
Dr Motsepe is scheduled to speak at the summit on the afternoon of Monday, 11 May. His participation comes as East Africa intensifies preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenya is one of the three nations selected to stage the tournament, which is due to take place in June and July 2027. The competition is regarded as the biggest sporting event on the African continent and is expected to attract global attention to the region.
During his visit to Nairobi, the CAF president is also expected to hold a series of meetings with senior officials from the three host countries to discuss preparations for the tournament. The talks will involve representatives from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as organisers continue planning for the continental football showpiece.
The summit itself is intended to highlight Africa’s capacity for innovation and strengthen cooperation among countries and institutions across the continent. Organisers say the gathering seeks to reinforce a collective commitment to developing solutions that are mutually beneficial and rooted in multilateral cooperation.
According to organisers, the Africa Forward Summit also aims to encourage transformative partnerships that can support development across a range of sectors. The event is expected to bring together leaders and decision-makers to discuss opportunities for collaboration and long-term growth.
Dr Motsepe’s appearance at the summit places sport alongside broader discussions on economic and social development. Football continues to play a significant role in Africa’s international profile, with the upcoming AFCON tournament seen as an opportunity for East African nations to showcase infrastructure, tourism and regional unity.
Preparations for AFCON 2027 are likely to remain a key topic during Dr Motsepe’s meetings in Nairobi. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were awarded hosting rights for the tournament in a joint bid, marking a major milestone for the East African region.
The tournament is expected to require extensive coordination among the three countries, including work on stadiums, transport infrastructure and organisational planning ahead of the competition in 2027.
CAF has increasingly promoted regional partnerships in football development and tournament hosting, with the East African bid viewed as part of broader efforts to strengthen the game across the continent.
The Africa Forward Summit is expected to provide a platform for discussions not only on sport, but also on innovation, cooperation and Africa’s future development priorities. Dr Motsepe’s participation underlines the growing connection between major sporting events and wider economic and diplomatic initiatives across the continent.
