Kenya confirms readiness for 2027 AFCON after settling hosting fee

MICHAEL OMONDI-KNA

The Government has fully met its financial obligations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as Kenya moves steadily toward co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, confirmed that the Government has remitted the required USD 30 million hosting fee to CAF, reaffirming Kenya’s credibility, readiness, and steadfast commitment to delivering a successful continental tournament.

He revealed that the Government has constituted a restructured multi-agency local organizing committee, bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors across all critical areas of delivery.

“This multi-sectoral approach is deliberate, ensuring that our institutional capacity is fully aligned with the scale, complexity, and urgency of preparations required to host a tournament of AFCON’s magnitude,” the CS affirmed.

Following the CAF inspection report, Mvurya reported that Kenya will embark on accelerated implementation of all infrastructure and operational compliance requirements including the fast-tracked construction and upgrading of match venues, training facilities, transport and logistics systems, as well as safety, security, and broadcast standards. 

“This is a routine but critical process in the hosting cycle, and Kenya is addressing each recommendation with precision, urgency, and accountability,” he said.

The CS noted that this milestone reflects the commitment of the President to position the country as a premier destination of global sporting events and leverage sports as a catalyst for economic growth, youth empowerment, job creation, and international prestige.

“As the Pamoja AFCON co-hosting countries, we remain fully committed to delivering a world-class AFCON 2027 that will not only meet but exceed continental and global expectations,”Mvurya said.

He said the co-hosting countries will convene next month to deliberate on the establishment of a harmonized framework to support the implementation of visa facilitation mechanisms to enable ease of movement for teams, officials, fans, and stakeholders across the borders, coordinated tax exemptions, customs facilitation measures, and streamlined clearance procedures for all goods, services, and activities directly related to AFCON.