East Africa sets pace for AFCON 2027 with crucial ‘Pamoja’ summit

East Africa’s joint bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is entering a decisive phase, with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania preparing to align on a unified roadmap that could shape the tournament’s success.

The three nations will convene a high-level “Pamoja” summit next week, where key logistical and policy frameworks are expected to be agreed as momentum builds towards the continental showpiece.

At the heart of the discussions will be practical measures designed to ease cross-border movement and streamline tournament operations. Visa regimes, tax exemptions and broader regulatory harmonisation are all on the agenda, reflecting the complexity of staging a multi-country event of this scale.

The meeting is expected to bring together senior government officials and technical stakeholders tasked with ensuring seamless coordination across the three host nations.

Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has underscored the importance of the summit, describing it as a platform to take critical decisions that will underpin the tournament’s delivery.

“There are several decisions we will be making next week. The meeting will address matters such as visas, tax exemptions and many others,” he said.

The involvement of Confederation of African Football will be central to the process, with the continental governing body expected to provide technical guidance and oversight.

A formal roadmap, outlining timelines and responsibilities, is anticipated to emerge from the summit, offering clarity on how preparations will unfold in the coming months.

Mvurya was speaking in Nairobi during a meeting with CAF Acting Secretary General Samson Adamu, as Kenya reaffirmed its readiness to play a leading role in delivering the tournament. The engagement formed part of a broader effort to demonstrate organisational commitment and strengthen collaboration between local authorities and CAF.

Beyond policy discussions, structural preparations are also gathering pace. The formal handover of the AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee signals a transition towards full operational planning, with Nicholas Musonye appointed as chairperson and Antony Lungaho taking on the chief executive role.

Mvurya also credited the organisers of the 2025 African Nations Championship for elevating Kenya’s standing within African football circles, suggesting that recent experience will provide a valuable foundation.

“We have a lot of activities ahead to ensure we deliver a successful competition,” he said.

With political backing, continental oversight and regional cooperation aligning, East Africa’s AFCON 2027 project is beginning to take concrete shape.