ARUSHA, Tanzania: Tanzania has signed 22 memorandums of understanding with foreign partners to strengthen sports development as it prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Minister Paul Makonda has revealed.
Tanzania will host the tournament jointly with Kenya and Uganda, marking the first time three East African nations co-host Africa’s premier football event.
Makonda said the agreements focus on talent development, training, sports exchanges and institutional capacity-building, and were concluded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.
He said sports diplomacy is becoming an important pillar of national development and a tool to strengthen Tanzania’s international profile.
Tanzania envisions the benefits of hosting AFCON as its preps rage on
Makonda also said Tanzania would host a major international Kiswahili language conference in France later this year, expanding the country’s cultural footprint abroad.
He inspected AFCON-related infrastructure projects in Arusha, including a new stadium, spectator facilities, a modern market and plans for a 10-storey Mount Meru Hospital building.
AFCON 2027 is expected to draw teams, fans and investors from across Africa and beyond, with host countries aiming to leverage the tournament to boost tourism, infrastructure development and regional integration.