MWE Correspondent
East African nations set to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations have taken another major step toward delivering the continent’s biggest football tournament after Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda signed a joint cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening coordination and preparations for the historic event.
The agreement, officially known as the CAF Joint Resolution – TotalEnergies AFCON PAMOJA 2027, was signed on May 11, 2026, during a high-level ceremony in Nairobi attended by senior government officials, football administrators and representatives of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The signing ceremony was witnessed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who has been leading efforts to support preparations for what will be the first Africa Cup of Nations jointly hosted by three East African countries.
The partnership agreement is expected to establish a unified framework for cooperation among the host nations as they prepare infrastructure, stadiums, transport systems, security arrangements and commercial strategies ahead of the tournament.
Tanzania was represented by Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda alongside officials from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) led by TFF President Wallace Karia. The Tanzanian delegation arrived in Nairobi ahead of the signing ceremony and a series of regional meetings connected to the preparations.
The 2027 tournament, branded “PAMOJA” — a Swahili word meaning “together” — is widely viewed as a landmark moment for East Africa, marking the region’s return to hosting Africa’s premier football competition for the first time in decades.
CAF officials say the agreement is designed to ensure closer coordination between the three host countries while minimizing logistical and operational challenges often associated with multinational sporting events.
The hosting rights were awarded to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in 2023, defeating competing bids from several African nations. Since then, the three governments have accelerated investments in sports infrastructure, airport modernization, road networks and hospitality facilities as they seek to meet CAF’s hosting standards.
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Analysts say the tournament could generate billions of dollars in economic activity across East Africa through tourism, infrastructure development, broadcasting rights and increased international visibility.
For Tanzania, the preparations form part of a broader national strategy aimed at positioning the country as a regional hub for sports, tourism and international events. Authorities have already begun upgrading major stadiums and related facilities expected to host matches and training camps during the competition.
CAF President Motsepe has repeatedly described the 2027 edition as a transformative opportunity for East African football and economic integration, emphasizing the tournament’s potential to unite the region while showcasing its growing development ambitions to the rest of the world.
As part of his regional tour, Motsepe is expected to visit the three host nations on May 12, 2026, accompanied by senior officials including Tanzania’s Sports Minister Paul Makonda, to assess progress on infrastructure projects and preparations linked to the tournament.
The Africa Cup of Nations remains Africa’s most-watched sporting event, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers globally and serving as a major platform for investment, tourism and continental unity.
