The State Department for Sports has confirmed its commitment to hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2025 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) by remitting the required hosting fees to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya revealed while appearance before the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture on Tuesday.

Mvurya confirmed that the State Department for Sports has already paid CAF 1.6 Billion Kenyan Shillings as a hosting fee for CHAN. This payment underscores the government’s commitment to successfully hosting the two prestigious tournaments.

CHAN 2025 details

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are jointly set to host CHAN from August 2-30, 2025. This event, featuring players based in their respective national leagues, serves as a crucial precursor to the 2027 AFCON, which Kenya is also preparing to co-host.

Investment in sports academies

In addition to preparing for AFCON and CHAN, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports is investing in sports development at the grassroots level.

The Ministry is committed to constructing 37 Sports Academies across the country. To date, agreements have been signed with 27 contractors, who are scheduled to be deployed to various construction sites starting this April 2025.

This initiative aims to nurture young talent and enhance the overall sports infrastructure in Kenya.

Impact and expectations

The successful hosting of CHAN and AFCON is expected to have a significant positive impact on Kenya’s economy, tourism sector, and national pride.

The investment in sports academies aims to create a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future. These developments signal a renewed focus on sports development in Kenya and demonstrate the country’s ambition to become a prominent force in African football.

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