The Confederation of African Football (CAF), Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have agreed on a structured delivery plan for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, following a two-day high-level workshop in Kampala.
Speaking after the workshop, CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu said the main objective of the meeting was to ensure that all stakeholders are fully aligned with the priorities, timelines and execution framework for AFCON Pamoja 2027.
“Our objective is to make sure that we align with the priorities of the framework, on the timeline and on the execution of the AFCON Pamoja 2027,” Adamu said.
The 2027 tournament will mark the first time in history that three countries — Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania — jointly host Africa’s biggest football showpiece, a move CAF believes presents a unique opportunity to transform the competition.
“Coming off a very successful AFCON in Morocco, it’s important that we focus on this AFCON which promises to be an amazing AFCON because it’s a unique one — three countries hosting this competition. It represents a very unique opportunity for us to be able to show AFCON in a completely different light,” he noted.
Adamu said CAF is determined to make the tournament the most successful edition ever, citing the strong commitment shown by the three governments, football federations and local organizing structures.
“We are very committed and delighted that we are going push for this competition to be the most successful edition of AFCON. We have all the ingredients to make sure it’s successful,” he said.
He revealed that CAF sent a strong delegation to Kampala to hold detailed discussions with sports ministers, football federation presidents and local organizing committees from the three nations.
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“We had FA presidents here and also had a very good closed-door meeting where we aligned all the priorities of the execution and work that needs to be done,” he added.
CAF also carried out an inspection visit in February to assess infrastructure progress, particularly stadiums and training facilities, which Adamu described as a critical part of tournament readiness.
“In terms of readiness, we are advancing in the right direction. The infrastructure is a big part of hosting the tournament, and after the reports from the inspection and the presentations from the hosts, I will say we are in a comfortable place,” he explained.
He emphasized that hosting AFCON is a process rather than a one-day event, stressing that the focus now is on deliverables, timelines and consistent follow-up.
“Hosting an AFCON is a journey, it’s not a one-day event. What I can tell you now is that there is strong commitment from the governments and CAF to make sure that we succeed,” Adamu said.
To ensure smooth coordination across the three host nations, CAF and the governments have agreed on a multi-layer governance structure.
At the top will be an Oversight Pamoja Committee, chaired by the three Ministers of Sports, alongside federation presidents and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairpersons. The committee will handle strategic issues shared by all countries, including visas, mobility, taxation, security and infrastructure.
“We want the fans, players and everyone to feel that if you go to Kenya, you will have the same experience that you have in Tanzania and Uganda. The quality of the pitches should also be the same,” Adamu said.
A steering committee composed of CEOs, LOC leaders and CAF committee heads will implement decisions made by the oversight body, while National LOCs in each country will oversee local execution through specialized sub-committees and secretariats.
“We have agreed on a good governance structure that will be implemented to make sure that we go in the right direction,” he stated.
CAF will also intensify monitoring, with weekly follow-ups and permanent technical staff, including engineers, to be stationed in each host country starting this month.
“We are not going to wait until August to know what the situation is. Every week we are going to follow up. We are putting in everything to make sure that we respect timelines,” Adamu said.
With the technical groundwork now laid and all stakeholders aligned, CAF says AFCON Pamoja 2027 is on course to become a landmark tournament that could redefine football hosting on the continent.
High-Level Pamoja Meeting Strengthens AFCON 2027 Preps
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CAF, together with sports ministers from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, football association presidents, and Local Organising Committee chairpersons, held a high-level kickoff meeting at Serena to strengthen preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the three East African nations will co-host under the PAMOJA partnership.
CAF praised the progress made so far and stressed the need for strong coordination, timely execution and a united regional approach.
Discussions focused on key areas including infrastructure, hospitality, security, media, transport, governance and finance.
The three countries reviewed ongoing work on stadiums, training grounds, airports, roads, hotels and other facilities, agreeing to accelerate delivery and setting August 2026 as a major review deadline for readiness.
They also committed to making East Africa a welcoming destination by improving tourism, hotel readiness, medical services, transport and fan experience, while using the tournament to boost tourism, trade, investment and regional growth.
A governance framework for the PAMOJA Local Organising Committee was agreed upon to ensure smooth coordination and accountability across the three nations.
Ministers also pushed for a PAMOJA Visa Framework to allow easier movement of fans, teams, officials, media and investors through visa exemptions, faster clearances and harmonized immigration procedures.
Ministers present were Hon Peter Ogwang (Uganda), Hon Salim Mvura (Kenya) and Hon Paul Makonda (Tanzania).
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