Ahead of AFCON 2027, Kenya has officially completed all of its financial and institutional responsibilities to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), despite a recent CAF inspection finding that none of the country’s prospective venues meet the Category 4 requirements necessary to host the prestigious continental competition.
CAF stated that, while Kenya benefits from a strong city setting in Nairobi, the delivery program remains challenging due to the magnitude of structural renovations required, reliance on new construction, and unequal preparation of training facilities.
The inspection also observed that, while numerous upgrades have already begun, the total scale of intervention is large and requires consistent activity to stay on track with AFCON 2027 timeframes.
In a written statement today, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports stated that the government had paid the entire Ksh 3.9 billion hosting fee to CAF. The contribution underscores Kenya’s commitment to implementing the CAF recommendations and hosting a world-class event that matches international standards.
Strengthening Organizational Capacity
A key step in preparations is the restructured Multi-Agency Local Organizing Committee. The committee brings together representatives from both public and private sectors, ensuring that all aspects of hosting from infrastructure to operations are handled efficiently.
According to officials, this multi-sectoral approach guarantees that Kenya’s institutional capacity is fully aligned with the scale and urgency required for a tournament of AFCON’s magnitude.
Fast-Tracking Infrastructure and Compliance
Following the CAF inspection report, Kenya has accelerated work on essential infrastructure and operational compliance needs. This involves accelerated construction and upgrades of match venues, training facilities, transportation and logistical systems, as well as safety, security, and broadcast requirements.
These steps are being executed with precision, haste, and accountability to guarantee complete alignment with the scope and complexity of preparations necessary to stage an AFCON-sized event.
Simplifying Movement and Trade for AFCON
To ensure smooth tournament operations, Kenya and its Pamoja AFCON co-hosting partners remain fully committed to delivering a world-class AFCON 2027 by implementing a harmonized framework to support visa facilitation, coordinated tax exemptions, customs support, and streamlined clearance procedures for all goods, services, and tournament-related activities.
These steps are intended to make it easier for teams, officials, spectators, and other stakeholders to move across borders while still meeting operational and logistical needs effectively.
With these initiatives, Kenya is on pace not only to host AFCON 2027, but also to provide an experience that matches and strives to exceed continental and global standards.
